1. Ulcers & Stomach Cancer

2. WHAT IS AN ULCER?
An open sore or a “break” in the external or internal surface of the body (Skin, gingival, stomach) where digestive juices have begun to eat away at the stomach lining.
A hole in the mucous lining, which leads to the release of HCL and Pepsin, damaging the internal stomach wall and causing internal bleeding.

3. SYMPTOMS OF ULCERS? Abdominal pains Burning pain
Bloating or constant fullness
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss and loss of appetite
Vomiting of blood
Gastric perforation or inflammation of glands in the stomach

4. CAUSES OF ULCERS?
It used to be believed that Ulcers were caused by excessive secretion of gastric juices (acidic).
Evidence shows that the infection of the stomach with H Pylori (discovered by Barry Marshall and Christopher Warren) is the main cause of peptic ulcers (80 %)
Other causes include smoking, stress, alcohol consumption and certain medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.

5. H. PYLORI & STOMACH ULCERS:
Helicobacter Pylori is an acid-bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and stops the production of mucous in a specific location of the stomach.
H Pylori is strongly associated with stomach ulcers however, doesn’t always lead to their formation.
Proteases and other enzymes that are released by H Pylori damage the stomach lining.

6. DIAGNOSIS OF PEPTIC ULCERS?
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Visual identification can tell doctors where the ulcer is located and the severity of that ulcer.

7. TREATMENT OF ULCERS:
Antibiotics can help relieve patients of peptic ulcers but, do not prevent their formation.
Antacid treatments (which stabilize stomach acidity) may relieve the symptoms of ulcers for a while, but not permanently.
Antimicrobial treatments that eliminate the H.pylori infection cure ulcers on a long-term basis.

8. STOMACH CANCER

9. WHAT IS STOMACH CANCER? Growth of a tumor in the wall of the stomach
High percentage of patients with stomach cancer are infected with H Pylori
H Pylori is associated with reduced Vitamin C concentrations in gastric juice, which may lead to tumor formation.
BUT, there’s not enough evidence that allows us to establish a causal link between H Pylori and stomach cancer.

10. Bibliography: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peptic-ulcer/DS00242