|
Monday, May 09, 2005
Dumaguing: Super fast ulcer pain relief
By Victor Dumaguing
A PEPTIC ulcer is a round or oval sore with well-defined border, where the lining of the stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. A shallower ulcer is called erosion. The acid-digestive juice tandem is composed of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, the first enzyme that breaks down the protein leading to its eventual digestion and absorption.
An ulcer develops when the defense mechanisms protecting the stomach and duodenum breaks down, for example when the amount of mucus protective lining decreases. Almost everyone produces stomach acid, but only one of 10 people develops ulcers. Different people generate different amounts of hydrochloric acid (similar to the muriatic acid some people use in cleaning their toilet bowl). Each person's pattern of acid secretion tends to persist throughout life. It is interesting to note that people who are high secretors never develop ulcers, and some people who are low secretors of acid never develop them.
The "no acid, no ulcer" pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease was set aside when researchers found that a certain bacterial called Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of duodenal ulcer. Only about half of the people with duodenal ulcers have typical symptoms; gnawing, burning, aching, soreness, an empty feeling and hunger. The pain tends to occur when the stomach is empty.
Usually, the ulcer does not hurt upon awakening but pain develops by midmorning. The pain, mild to moderate, is steady and it is located in a definite area almost always just below the breastbone. Drinking milk, eating or taking antacids generally relieve the pain but it may return 2-3 hours later. Pain that awakens the person at 1 or 2 a.m. is common. Frequently, the pain erupts once or more a day over a period of one to several weeks and may disappear even without treatment only to recur within first two years especially during periods of emotional and physical stress.
The symptoms of gastric ulcers often do not follow the same pattern as those of duodenal ulcers. Eating can cause more pain rather than relieve it. Gastric or stomach ulcers are more likely to cause swelling of the tissues leading into the small intestines which may prevent food from easily passing out from the stomach which may cause bloating, nausea or vomiting after eating.
Despite the emergence of many causative factors of peptic ulcer, the fact remains that it is still the corrosive effects of combined acid-pepsin that ultimately lead to the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer. Understandably, the therapeutic approach includes drugs with anti-acid effects. Thus, antacids became very popular medications. However, they proved to have limited efficacy, therefore newer anti-ulcer medicines came to fore.
Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs are innovative anti-ulcer drugs. They inhibit the enzymes that allow the synthesis and release of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells in the stomach. In effect, the PPIs reduce the secretion of HC1 thus minimizing its corrosive action on the protective lining of the duodenum and stomach.
Lansoprazole is one good proton pump inhibitor. Known by its trade name Prevacid (which to my mind is a contraction of "prevent acid"), it does not only inhibit acid secretion; it also promotes health in a greater percentage of people in a shorter period of time compared to other anti-ulcer drugs like histamine-2 receptor antagonists. For a long time now, in its 15mg and 30mg capsule forms, Prevacid has brought ulcer pain relief to patients allowing them uninterrupted time to pursue personal as well as professional activity without the pesky abdominal discomfort and pain.
Now, Lansoprazole is even made better. Formulated in Fast Disintegrating Strawberry-flavored Tablet form in 15 mg and 30 mg strengths, an ulcer patient places one tablet on the tongue once daily, then waits for it to disintegrate, then swallows it with or without water. The fast disintegration in the mouth leads to fast acid suppression in the stomach and this translates to a faster relief of ulcer pain - a luxury most of my ulcer patients are now enjoying. A word of caution though. Just like any drug, it may not be right for all patients, especially those with liver problems or with allergy or hypersensitivity reactions so have a good talk with your doctor about Prevacid.
Why suffer from pain due to stomach acid when there is Prevacid FDT?
(May 9, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
