Ulcers: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

An ulcer is the result of an imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors. The pathology of ulcer is complex and may involve overproduction of acid or pepsin, inadequate mucosal defence, reflux of bile and pancreatic juice into stomach. Peptic ulcer is a classical example of the biopsychosocial model of disease and like most diseases, it has a multifactorial origin. Furthermore, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the common disorders affecting the digestive system. The lifetime risk of ulcer is 5-10% in developed countries. This book examines the psychosocial risk factors for developing peptic ulcers. It is shown that PUD occurs more frequently among individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders. The use of a fibrinogen- and thrombin-coated collagen patch for a perforated peptic ulcer is researched as a method to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Through the application of such a device, previously used in hepatic surgery, a new and simple modification to the standard technique may improve the seal of the traditional repair, has no complications and makes the overall operation faster. In addition to peptic ulcers, the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of gastric and skin ulcers are explored in this book, including the four most common etiologies that account for the large majority of skin ulcers in the elderly, the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and the results of research done on opical opioid therapy in treating pain from ulcers.