Treating Duodenal Ulcer

Duodenum is a small lining that connects the stomach to the small intestine. When this lining gets inflamed or eroded it causes the condition known as duodenal ulcer (DU). Duodenal Ulcers are located in the duodenum tract. This type of an ulcer is three times more frequent in comparison to gastric ulcer. It has been said that this ulcer is caused mainly due to too much acid from the stomach. But studies have shown that is not the case. Duodenum surface and tissue is protected by the use of chemicals and mucus produced by duodenum. Duodenum ulcer occurs when this protection breaks due to the acid.

This ulcer is also caused by an infection with a bacterium called H. pylori. This bacterium affects the lining of the duodenum which makes way for the acid to cause inflammation and ulcers. The anti-inflammatory medicines also cause duodenal ulcers. Medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac including many others taken for arthritis, muscular pain are another reason for this problem. One of the rare causes is the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome which creates too much acid in the stomach causing duodenal ulcer.

Some of the common symptoms of duodenal ulcers are pain caused in the upper abdomen, mostly occurring before the meals or if you are going through one of the hungry pangs. The pain subsides once you eat your food or take antacid medicines. Other signs are bloating, barfing and feeling sick. Over eating can complicate things further by causing more pain. This problem can take a turn for worse when there is bleeding from the ulcer or when the ulcer penetrates the duodenum wall causing pain and need for doctors help.

- Home Remedies for Duodenal Ulcer