What is meant by peptic ulcers ? is it chronic or curable .......?

burning over upper part of abdomin and below ribs for the past one week. Is it curable with food restrictions or with medicines.please suggest......

A peptic ulcer is an ulcer of one of those areas of the gastrointestinal tract that are usually acidic. A more general term, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), is also in use. Most ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as Aspirin and other NSAIDs. Contrary to general belief, more peptic ulcers arise in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, just after the stomach) than in the stomach. About 4 % of stomach ulcers are caused by a malignant tumour, so multiple biopsies are needed to make sure.

i'm not sure but i've looked on yahoo and there seems to be many sites I've added one below. maybe you should look around.

Peptic ulcers are ulcers in the upper part of the stomach. I had 'em and they went away after being careful with my diet (no very hot [peppery, that is] or indigestible foods for a while) for about three months, so they are curable.

There are some ulcers which are infections by a bug called _Helicobacter pylori_. These require antibiotic therapy rather than just diet, but they too can be cured. Have a doctor check to see whether yours are this kind if diet doesn't seem to help.

A peptic ulcer is a sore place in the stomach, that is slow to heal. Virus can cause this, see a Doc.

If you are antiDoc try making your diet way more bland, the ulcer diet is the three M's Milk Malox and Mashedpotatoes. Take a multivitamin.

in the mid-nineties they discovered that most ulcers were caused by a bacteria and can be cured with an anti-biotic

As people have mentioned earlier, these ulcers are due to H. Pylori, and require intensive antibiotic treatment. It is also more likely to occur in people with Type O blood. The most often regimen is ampicillin for two weeks.

Please see the webpages for more details on Peptic ulcer.
Certain foods and lifestyle are considered to promote gastroesophageal reflux:
Coffee, alcohol, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote evening reflux. Calcium containing antacids are in this group[3].
Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.
Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
avoid eating for 2 hours before bedtime
avoid soft drinks
avoid chocolate and peppermint
avoid spicy foods
avoid acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes (however, they are okay when fresh.)
avoid cruciferous vegetables: onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts
milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.
Consult a Gastroenterologist.

12.11.06
What Is Meant By Peptic Ulcers? Is It Chronic Or Curable?

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or oesophagus.
Depending on their locaton, ulcers have different names
- Gastric ulcer. This is a peptic ulcer that occurs in your stomach
- Duodenal ulcer. This type of peptic ulcer develops in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
- Oesophageal ulcer. An oesophageal ulcer is usually located in the lower section of your oesophagus. It is often associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Causes
1. Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is the most common cause
2. Regular use of pain relievers. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, etc.
3. Smoking
4. Excessive alcohol consumption
5. Stress.

Peptic Ulcers Are Curable
Treatment
depends upon the cause
A. - If H. pylori is the cause, it must be killed and the level of acid must be reduced. These 2 things are done by 2, 3 or 4 of the following medications
1.- Antibiotics
- amoxicillin, clarithromycin or metronadizole
2.- Acid blockers
-ranitidine, famotidine, and cimetidine.
3.- Antacids
4.- Proton pump inhibitors
- omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole.
5.- Cytoprotective agents
- sucralfate, misoprostol, bismuth subsalicylate

B.- If Pain relievers or Acid Reflux (oesophageal ulcers) is the cause,
- pain relievers should not be used
- the acid level should be reduced through the use of acid blockers, antacids or proton pump inhibitors
- cytoprotecting drugs may have to be used.

Self-Care
- avoid acidic and spicy foods
- control stress
- do not smoke
- limit or avoid alcohol
- avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- control acid reflux by avoiding spicy and fatty foods, avoiding reclining after meals for atleast 3 hours, raising the head of the bed and reducing the weight.

If you need any further information, please contact me.