How to Improve Peptic Ulcer Disease Treatment

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is an erosion of some parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) from the esophagus to the intestines. In over 90 percent of PUD cases, the GI tract is infected with Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes the ulcers. Treatment for PUD typically consists of an antibiotic plus another medication that reduces the production of certain stomach acids. (These medications are called Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPIs.) While the use of these medications can provide a very effective treatment for PUD, there are some additional self-care interventions that can enhance their efficacy. In this article we will explore some.

Things You'll Need

• A clinical diagnosis of PUD
• A willingness to make or modify certain habits
• An understanding that treatment usually takes several months and needs consistent adherence to the treatment program

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Instructions

• 1

  Stop smoking! Cigarette smoking always negatively impacts health. However, with PUD, researchers have found that people who continue to smoke while receiving treatment fail the treatment more frequently. If you are not ready to stop smoking entirely it is wise to reduce your smoking as much as you can. Smoking will only irritate PUD and may render the treatment ineffective.

• 2

  Stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, Advil, Aleve and such. Your health care provider should tell you not to take these medications since they can increase irritation to your already irritated and raw GI tract lining.

• 3

  Learn to reduce your personal stress. There is solid medical research that shows increased personal stress increases the production of various stomach acids and can lead to worsening of PUD. "Stress reduction" is not always easy. There isn't any ONE magical way. Many people find methods such as prayer, meditation or exercise to be effective. It may be prudent to consult with a counselor regarding your stress and learn (or relearn) some stress reduction techniques.

• 4

  Follow your treatment plan exactly as outlined by your health care provider. Frequently, once patients start to "feel better" they stop taking their medications, especially if the treatment is a long-term course of medications. DO NOT DO THIS. Stopping therapy before re-evaluation and testing can lead to ineffective treatment or worsening of the disease.