Gastric Ulcer: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

A gastric ulcer is a lesion of the stomach lining that extends beyond the muscularis mucosae, leading to loss of substance at the stomach wall. This type of ulcer mainly affects individuals over 60 years old.

Causes

The primary cause of gastric ulcer is related to infection by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H. pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa, causing chronic inflammation that can develop into an ulcer. It is responsible for about 70% of gastric ulcers. Other risk factors include: • Smoking: it increases the risk of ulcer and slows healing. • Alcoholism and stress: contribute to the occurrence of ulcers by weakening mucosal defenses. • Advanced age: the risk increases with age, especially in older individuals regularly taking NSAIDs.

Symptoms

Symptoms include: • Epigastric pain (often described as burning or cramping), generally appearing after meals. • Nausea, vomiting, sometimes with blood. • Loss of appetite and weight loss. In some cases, ulcers may be asymptomatic until complications such as digestive hemorrhages or perforations occur.

Treatment

Medical treatments include: • Eradication of H. pylori: a triple therapy combining a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with two antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin or metronidazole in case of resistance) for 10 to 14 days is recommended. • Stopping NSAIDs: whenever possible, it is advised to stop NSAIDs or replace them with selective COX-2 inhibitors, which are less aggressive for the gastric mucosa. • Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): these medications reduce gastric acid production, facilitating ulcer healing. • Endoscopic follow-up: a follow-up gastroscopy is often performed to check ulcer healing and ensure there is no malignant transformation. In case of serious complications (hemorrhage, perforation), surgical intervention may be necessary.