[Click! Health] Increasing Drinking Gatherings, Increasing Stomach Pain... 'Peptic Ulcer' Warning

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As COVID-19 quarantine measures have been virtually lifted except for a few, gatherings and drinking occasions are increasing. One of the diseases to be cautious of when drinking frequently is peptic ulcer. This is because alcohol absorbed through the stomach lining can damage the stomach wall and cause ulcers.

Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are collectively called "peptic ulcers." It refers to a condition where the balance between aggressive factors attacking the mucosa of the stomach and duodenum and defensive factors such as mucus is disrupted, causing wounds on the stomach wall or duodenal mucosa, with damage progressing as the mucosal layer on the surface becomes deeply eroded.

The main cause of peptic ulcers is Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Also called "stomach spiral bacteria," it proliferates in the mucosa of the human stomach and duodenum, causing chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization as a cause of stomach cancer. In addition, with the increased use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin for musculoskeletal or cardiovascular diseases, drug-induced peptic ulcers are also on the rise.

Common symptoms of gastric ulcers, one type of peptic ulcer, include epigastric pain or abdominal pain often described as heartburn. If you experience a burning pain in the chest area when fasting or if the pain persists about 30 minutes to an hour after eating, it is necessary to check whether it is a gastric ulcer. Symptoms such as weight loss and nausea may also appear in addition to abdominal pain. In severe cases, patients visit the emergency room due to anemia, dizziness, or dehydration.

Peptic ulcers are mainly diagnosed through endoscopy. In cases of ulcers without bleeding or perforation, treatment involves medication to suppress gastric acid secretion and protect the mucosa, along with eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori lasting about 6 to 8 weeks if the bacteria are present. If complications such as bleeding or perforation caused by ulcers occur, treatment of the complications takes priority, and surgical treatment may be necessary.

Professor Jeon Jeong-won of the Department of Gastroenterology at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital is explaining about peptic ulcers.
[Photo by Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital]

During eradication therapy, symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea may occur. If the patient arbitrarily stops the medication and the eradication therapy is not properly completed, the ulcer may recur. It is known that without proper Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, gastric ulcers recur in 60% of cases and duodenal ulcers in 100% of cases. Consistent medication adherence is very important.

In cases of peptic ulcers induced by analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs, the use of the offending drug should be stopped or changed under a doctor's supervision. Avoid taking low-dose aspirin arbitrarily without a doctor's prescription or indiscriminately taking analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain or colds.

After treatment, managing lifestyle habits is important. Professor Jeon Jeong-won of the Department of Gastroenterology at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital explained, "It is necessary to avoid greasy or spicy foods and make efforts to reduce stress through sufficient rest and sleep," adding, "Consuming less processed foods and avoiding overeating are important. Regular meal times and appropriate meal portions reduce the burden on the stomach."

For those who have undergone eradication therapy, abstaining from alcohol and smoking is recommended. If you are taking antithrombotic agents for heart disease, it is advisable to take medications that suppress the occurrence of peptic ulcers together. Analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin should be taken strictly according to a doctor's prescription. Professor Jeon advised, "Above all, if symptoms such as heartburn and nausea do not disappear, it is necessary to have an endoscopy once every 1 to 2 years."