How Likely are You to Get Peptic Ulcer?

It was a rainy September morning in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, I adjusted myself in my chair and peeked at my wrist watch. It was almost 11.00am and the rain didn’t seem like it was going to stop anytime soon. I’d already seen 2 patients and was expecting the 3rd. I glanced at the green file in front of me and mentally noted the name, Remi . 

The door opened quietly and a young woman walked in. She wore a stylish blue sweat shirt on a pair of black trousers. I could guess she was in her 40s, maybe approaching 50, by the way she looked. 

She walked toward me calmly. We exchanged pleasantries and a hand shake as she settled into the chair opposite mine, just across the wooden desk. The next few minutes of conversation revealed to me that Mrs. Remi had a burning pain in her chest, and severe back pains that made it difficult for her to sit up at work sometimes.The chest pain sometimes woke her up at night and also affected her activities during the day. 

“I couldn’t even sleep last night after I was awakened suddenly by the pain doctor, it was so severe” she said, a troubled look on her face. “I should have come to the hospital earlier, but I’ve been so busy with work and caring for my husband and kids. I have been taking some painkillers for the past few months, to ease the back pain but it has only gotten worse”. 

After a few more minutes of interacting with her, I asked to examine her. 

“Ouch”, she cried, when I touched the mid section of her upper abdomen, just between her lower ribs, and that concluded my examination.

 I explained to Mrs. Remi that  she might have peptic ulcer disease, and I recommended a few tests for her. 

WHAT IS PEPTIC ULCER?

Peptic ulcer is a painful sore on the lining of the stomach or small intestine.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES?

There are two types, depending on where the sore is located: 

1. Gastric ulcer: When the sore is in the stomach
2. Duodenal ulcer: When the sore is in the duodenum(the first part of the small intestine)

HOW COMMON IS PEPTIC ULCER?

Peptic ulcer is relatively common worldwide

Studies have shown that every year, about 0.1%-0.19% of the world population are affected by peptic ulcer In the U.S, it affects about 4.6million people yearly

In Africa, it affects about 2-9% of the population.

In Nigeria, 28% of the population are affected.

WHAT CAUSES PEPTIC ULCER?

There are two main causes:

1. Bacteria: A bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori. When Mrs. Remi returned with her test results, it was positive for the bacteria, just as I had suspected.
2. Drugs: Some over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc also cause peptic ulcer.

WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET PEPTIC ULCER?

1. People between 30-50years, and people over 60years old. Mrs. Remi fell within the former age range 
2. Smokers
3. People who drink alcohol
4. People who undergo prolonged stress, for example, prolonged fasting. 
5. People who frequently use painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc

WHAT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS WOULD A PERSON HAVE?

A person with peptic ulcer would usually experience symptoms similar to what Remi complained about, such as:

1. Pain: In the chest or upper abdomen which may occur at night and wake the person up at night, and also in the day time. The person may also experience back pain
2. Loss of appetite
3. Weight loss
4. Vomiting or the urge to do so may occur along with the pain
5. A person with peptic ulcer may also not have any symptoms and may only be discovered at an advanced stage

HOW CAN I AVOID HAVING PEPTIC ULCER?

Peptic ulcer can be avoided by simply avoiding the things that make you likely to have it, like smoking, consuming lots of alcohol, prolonged fasting, and frequent use of over-the-counter painkillers.

Since a bacteria is responsible for causing the disease, ensuring proper hygiene, especially food hygiene is also very important. 

Ensuring a well balanced and regular diet is also important.

CAN PEPTIC ULCERS BE TREATED?

Yes, peptic ulcers can be treated. 

Your doctor will carry out some tests and prescribe the right medicines for you. You can speak with a Doctor for free  on the flexicare hmo plan by initiating a message via the AI health messenger here or via your dashboard on the website.

Antacids help to relieve the pain of peptic ulcer but do not treat the condition. They only provide temporary relief, so it is best to see a doctor and follow the treatment recommended.

Also, some persons commonly use painkillers when they experience continuous back pain. As mentioned earlier,this may be a cause of peptic ulcer, or even worsen the condition if the back pain is a result of peptic ulcer. Hence, like Remi, it is always best to see a doctor which is super affordable with the flexicare health insurance plan 

Remi carried out the medical tests I recommended and took her treatment seriously, she also kicked out the painkillers she had been using. Few weeks later, I got a call from Remi that had me smiling from ear to ear. 

She felt so much better and was much more effective at work since she had no more pains weighing her down.