Essay Sample on Ulcer Caused by Helicobacter Pylori: Destruction of Stomach Mucus Boundary

Introduction

The stomach has an acid which destroys microorganisms and assists in the assimilation of food. However, the cells of the duodenum and the stomach have the mucus that forms a boundary that protects the acid from damaging the cells of the duodenum (Tang et al., 2016). When this boundary is destroyed, ulcer arises.

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The primary causal agent to the destruction of cells in the duodenum is known as to as Helicobacter pylori. These bacteria make the walls of the duodenum swell and therefore causing an ulcer. Duodenal ulcers can also be caused by some treatments, especially anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Factors such as smoking, stress and taking of alcohol also can lead to duodenal ulcer, however in rare cases as compared to H, pylori.

Symptoms of Duodenal Ulcers

Persons with duodenal ulcer have an occasional stomachache and abdominal pains, unsettled stomach. They often get bloated after taking their meals; feel of a burning feeling in the abdomen. There is also a lack of appetite, vomiting vomit that appears like coffee and can lose a lot of weight in the process hence falling sick (Soreide et al.,2015). An ulcer can lead to severe injuries to the stomach and duodenum if the problem persists. It is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as the symptoms of severe stomach pain persist. And if one observes some traces of blood in the stool or stool is dull.

Diagnosis

For any ulcer detection, a doctor must take a test from the patient before diagnosis.

Laboratory test for Helicobacter pylori

Several experiments need to be carried out by the doctor to examine the existence of the bacteria in the patient's body (Laine, 2016). Blood stool and breath are used in the evaluation of the bacteria. However, the breath test is the most common since it gives accurate results as compared to blood and stool tests. For instance, the patient first takes a drink like soda that contains radioactive carbon. Therefore the bacteria will break the food substance in the stomach, which in turn the patient exhales the air into a polythene bag. The infected patient's breath will contain carbon dioxide.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy test is carried out by the insertion of a hollow tube with a lens through the digestive system down into the duodenum of the patient by the doctor (Lanas, & Chan, 2017). In case ulcer is perceived, small tissue specimens are taken into the lab for identification of H. pylori in the stomach or the duodenum linen. For the aged patients, it is advisable to use the endoscopy method in examining the bacteria since there will be signs of bleeding. It should then be followed after treatment to determine whether the patient has cured even if there is no symptom of ulcer raised by the patient.

Upper gastrointestinal series

These are sequences of x-rays showing the images of the upper digestive system taken by the x-rays (Laine, 2016). The patient is ingested with a white liquid that has barium which seals the digestive system hence exposing ulcers for clear vision.

Treatment of the Duodenal Ulcer

In the case of duodenal ulcer that is caused by Helicobacter pylori. The patient needs to take two antibiotic tablets to destroy the bacteria and additional medication to regulate the amount of acid produced in the stomach. However, for the case of patients without the infection of bacteria need to stop the use of anti-inflammatory drugs by substituting them with medications that will regulate the continuous production of the acid in the stomach. Also avoiding alcohol consumption, and saying no to smoking will assist in curbing duodenal ulcers.

References

Laine, L. (2016). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a peptic ulcer. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(24), 2367-2376.

Lanas, A., & Chan, F. K. (2017). Peptic ulcer disease. The Lancet, 390(10094), 613-624.

Soreide, K., Thorsen, K., Harrison, E. M., Bingener, J., Moller, M. H., Ohene-Yeboah, M., & Soreide, J. A. (2015). Perforated peptic ulcer. The Lancet, 386(10000), 1288-1298.

Zhang, Z. H., Lin, A. F., Tang, D. P., Wei, J. J., Liu, Z. J., Xin, X. M., & Pan, Y. F. (2016). Association of Endoscopic Esophageal Variceal Ligation with Duodenal Ulcer. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan: JCPSP, 26(4), 267-271.