In: Nursing
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a lesion of the mucosal layer in the stomach or duodenum that may be caused by pathogenic bacteria or pepsin and other gastric acids.
The most common causes of peptic ulcers include the infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or H. Pylori, medications that disturb the gastric mucosa, psychological pressures and irregular food habits that result in improper acid secretions that damage gastric mucosa.
The signs and symptoms include pain in the upper abdominal region, acid reflux, and indigestion. The diagnosis is done by endoscopic biopsy, and tests for antibodies in the blood.
The peptic ulcer disease (PUD) caused by H. pylori is treated by a combination of two different antibiotics and one antacid. The drugs include clarithromycin, metronidazole or amoxicillin and a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole or pantoprazole. Hand hygiene is an important step in its prevention.