Peptic Ulcer? | Expert Homeopathy

This term refers to an ulcer found either in the lower end of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and is caused by the destruction of the mucosa.

Types

1. Gastric ulcer
2. Duodenal ulcer
3. Both together are called 'Peptic ulcer'

Etiology/Causation

1. Acid theory: High hydrochloric acid secretion is a common accompaniment of peptic ulcer
2. Mucous theory: When the mucus secretion which has got the quality of protecting the gastric
3. The mucosa is either diminished in quantity or altered in quality, the stomach gets injured easily
4. H. Pylori: Helicobacter pylori is an organism that is found in gastric mucosa, responsible for the majority of duodenal and gastric ulcers. It is prevalence may be as high as 70%
5. Hormonal theory: Duodenal ulcer is rare in women of reproductive age. It is rarely found in pregnancy also. Zollinger Ellison Syndrome, Multiple adenoma syndrome. Hyperparathyroidism.
6. Neural theory: Abnormal vagal impulses from the hypothalamus are responsible for vascular spasms and ischemia, leading to necrosis and also it increases the secretion of HCL
7. NSAID induced ulcer
8. Constitutional factors: Heredity: 

• Duodenal ulcers have got a familial trait
• ABO blood groups: It occurs maximum in blood group 'O'- Duodenal, 'A'- Gastric
• People from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

1. Stress: may result from physical or mental stress or a surgical operation
2. Tobacco smoking and drugs
3. Patient with rheumatoid arthritis
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic renal failure.

Symptoms

1. Dyspepsia: Initially intermittent, ultimately becomes permanent, may occur especially during winter
2. Pain
3. Location: usually in the epigastric region, the lower part of the chest
4. Character: usually burning or sometimes stitching
5. Relation with food: Pain comes 2 to 3 hours after the meals
6. Relief of the pain: Antacids, food, and sometimes even water relieve the pain of a duodenal ulcer, vomiting may also reduce pain. But pain is aggravated by eating in cases of gastric ulcer

Signs

1. Accurate localization of the pain
2. Localized pain and tenderness over upper rectus muscles

Investigations

1. Barium meal X-Ray follow-through
2. Gastroscopy
3. Laboratory studies: Occult blood test in stool
4. H. Pylori detection from gastric mucosal biopsy

Complications

1. Hemorrhage
2. Perforation 5% to 10% cases
3. Penetration in pancreas
4. Sub diaphragmatic abscess
5. Gastric outlet obstruction

Treatment

1. Rest to the body
2. Rest to the mind
3. Rest to the ulcer- proper diet and medication
4. Prohibition of smoking and alcohol
5. Surgical treatment when:

• Medical treatment fails
• Pyloric stenosis
• Hemorrhages severe or recurrent
• Perforation
• Jejunal ulcer following gastro-jejunostomy

Homeopathic medicines

Arsenicum album 3

2 drops twice daily

Hydrastis Q
Ten drops twice daily with half a cup of water

besides, there are many effective homeopathic medicines that can control even cured this ulcer such as Anacardium Ori, Argentum Nit, etc.