Ulcers Under The Lens: Mechanisms, Management, And Modern Advances
Abstract
Ulcers are painful sores that heal slowly and often recur. They can occur anywhere in the body, including the skin and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common types include arterial, venous, mouth, and genital ulcers. Stomach ulcers, in particular, are primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), accounting for 80–90% of cases. NSAIDs disrupt the stomach lining, while H2 receptor antagonists (e.g., cimetidine, famotidine) work by blocking acid release. Diagnosis involves medical history, physical examination, and tests like upper GI endoscopy (gold standard), H. pylori testing (stool antigen, urea breath test), CT scans, and blood work. Accurate diagnosis helps distinguish ulcers from other GI conditions. Treatment focuses on reducing stomach acid (via proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers), protecting the gastric lining (cytoprotective agents), and eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary adjustments and stress reduction, support healing. Emerging therapies include stem cells, gene therapy, P-CABs (e.g., Zastaprazan), probiotics, curcumin, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to prevent complications like bleeding. Future strategies emphasize public awareness, improved diagnostics, targeted therapy, and development of advanced medications for better management and prevention of ulcers.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on mental health of undergraduate students in New Jersey, cross-sectional study
- Household Secondary Attack Rate of COVID-19 and Associated Determinants in Guangzhou, China: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Viral suppression and HIV transmission in serodiscordant male couples: an international, prospective, observational, cohort study
- Lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation according to optimal, borderline, or elevated levels of risk factors: cohort study based on longitudinal data from the Framingham Heart Study
- Nusinersen in adults with 5q spinal muscular atrophy: a non-interventional, multicentre, observational cohort study
- Population-based rates, timing, and causes of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country prospective cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.