Peptic Ulcer and Prevpac Treatment

The stomach organ in the human body functions to digest food. It is positioned between the esophagus (After food enters the mouth, travels through the esophagus into the stomach 1) and intestines (Small and large intestines where food is digested completely and where nutrients supply the human body through the blood. 2) As food enters the stomach, passes through the cardiac sphinter, prevents food from passing back into the esophagus. The stomach consists of five layers. The inner most layer (mucosa) where stomach acid and digestive juices are made. Submucoas is the next layer, surrounded by muscularis, functions to move and mix stomach contents. The next two layers: Subserosa and Serosa wrap the stomach. "The serosa is the outermost layer of the stomach." When food leaves the stomach, empties into the duodenum or first section of the small intestine. Separating the stomach and the duodenum is the pyloric sphincter. 3

The mucus layer covers and protects the tissues that lines the stomach, lives Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). In some people, H. pylori disrupts the mucous layer of the stomach, and inflame the lining of the stomach or duodenum, as a result acid and bacteria produces an ulcer. 4 According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 9 of 10 ulcer cases caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. 17 Some people have damage to the lining of their stomach or small intestines, attributed to Helicobacter pylori, making it easier for the bacteria to invade and inflame tissues (ulcer). 5 A peptic ulcer is hole, one of three locations called (may have three different names): Gastric ulcer (Ulcer located in the stomach), Duodenal ulcer (Ulcer developed in the small intestines), and Esophageal ulcer (ulcer located in the lower section of the esophagus or referred to as chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)). In the United States, ten percent of men and four percent of women some time in their lives diagnosed having a peptic ulcer disease. 7 In the United States, annual cost treating peptic ulcers and its complications estimated about $10 billion. "In 70 percent of patients it occurs between the ages of 25 and 64 years." 14 Estimated 6,500 deaths caused by complications related to peptic ulcers annually. 10 Peptic Ulcers not solely caused by H.plori. Other factors cause peptic ulcers: Stress (worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcer by increasing stomach acid and slowing digestion 6), Excessive alcohol consumption (Erode the mucous lining of the stomach, a result more perceptible for stomach acid), smoking ("Nicotine in tobacco increases the volume and concentration of stomach acid, increasing your risk of an ulcer. Also, inhibits healing during ulcer treatment), and pain medication (Both prescription and over the counter medication may irritate or inflame lining of the stomach. and small intestine.) 5

Peptic ulcers produce no symptoms or mild to severe: Painful ache, intermediate pain for several days or weeks, discomfort two or three hours after a meal, belly ache middle of the night (stomach is empty), weight loss, burping, vomiting, bloating, nausea, relief after a meal, and antacid medications provide relief. Emergency care necessary when symptoms of ulcer intensify to cause sudden, sharp and persistent pain, bloody or black stools, and bloody vomit (upper GI (Gastrointestinal) bleeding 7) or vomit appearing like coffee grounds. These symptoms may indicate perforation ("when the ulcer burrows through the stomach or duodenal wall), bleeding (Ulcer caused by acid accumulation breaks a blood vessel), and obstruction of the pathway not allowing food to leave the stomach (result of scar tissue accumulation 8). 4 When peptic ulcer symptoms are untreated risk of serious infection (peritonitis) of the abdominal cavity. 8 When peritonitis is diagnosed requires emergency surgery.14 In 1999, 4,604 deaths caused by peptic ulcer. 9

A peptic ulcer diagnosed by various tests. Endoscope examination (Use of thin lighted tube with a tiny camera at the end) under sedation, gives the physician a view of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum: Detect peptic ulcer, and capable to take a biopsy to examine tissues under a microscope. Also, endoscope exam provides access to inject drugs for treatment and guide heat probe that cauterizes the ulcer. Furthermore, blood, breath, stool and tissue tests diagnosis presents of H.Pylori. When H. pylori not detected, ulcers linked to anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) (aspirin, and ibuprofen) or cancerous tumors of the stomach or pancreas: Different treatment is required. 4 According to a study in 2001, approximately half of all ulcers caused by regular use of nonsteroidal anti -- inflammatory drugs. Also, studies found patients taking drugs for cardiovascular disease (millions of people) risk developing ulcers or increase risk, when these types of medication are combined together. Rarely peptic ulcers linked to hereditary factor, Crohen's disease or Zollinger - Ellison syndrome (In this condition, tumors in the pancreas and duodenum (gastinomas) produce excessive amounts of gastrin, a hormone that stimulates gastric acid formation."). 10

Common prescribed medication, Prevpac developed to cure an ulcer and prevent it coming back caused by H.pylori bacteria. 13 According to the Food and Drug Administration prevpac categorized: Anti - ulcer Agents, Anti - Infectives, Proton - pump Inhibitors, and ATC: A02BC03 16. The prepackaged medication contains two antibiotics (30 milligram capsules of lansoprazole (Prevacid), and four 500 milligrams capsules of amoxicillin) and an acid -- blocking agent (two 500 milligrams tablets of clarithromycin (Biaxin)) taken daily: Half in the morning and half at night with or without food.11 The daily regiment of treatment prescribed for ten or fourteen days.13 "Prevpac may cause liver problems, characterized by jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)."11 Also, medication may cause diarrhea, headache, and taste disturbances - advisable for patients to call their physician.12 The medication not recommended for those allergic to antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, penicillin and Biaxin), and never recommended for patients with severe kidney disease.11 "Prevpac Therapy Pack should be used with caution in Asian patients; the risk of side effects may be increased in these patients." Patients may experience dizziness; effects may worsen when alcohol or certain medications are taken during the time prevpac is prescribed. The medication effectiveness and safety for use in children has not been confirmed.15 Also, patients who have a reaction to cephalosporin (type antibiotic, such as Cector, Duricef and Keflex) Prevpac not recommended for use. 11 During pregnancy Prevpac should not be prescribed or may be harmful to the fetus and health concerns during breastfeeding. Prevpac recommend for those who have an active ulcer and minimum one ulcer during the past year. The prescribed use of Prevpac only effective, when the course of treatment fully completed, otherwise ulcer may not heal and symptoms may return. 12

References:

1.) Esophagus - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophagus

2.) INTESTINES -

3.) Stomach - http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/stomach.asp

4.) H. pylori and Peptic Ulcer - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/

5.) Peptic Ulcer - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peptic-ulcer/DS00242/DSECTION=3

6.) Ulcers and stress: Is there a connection? - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcers/AN01642/rss=1

7.) Peptic Ulcer Disease Resource Center - http://www.medscape.com/resource/peptic-ulcer-disease

8.) Complications - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peptic-ulcer/DS00242/DSECTION=6

9.) Deaths from Peptic Ulcer - http://www.cureresearch.com/p/peptic_ulcer/deaths.htm

10.) Peptic Ulcers - http://www.walgreens.com/library/contents.jsp?doctype=10&docid=000019

11.) Prevpac - http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/pre1349.htm

12.) Prevpac - http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-mono.aspx?contentFileName=Pre1349.html&contentName=Prevpac&contentId=460

13.) PREVPAC (Iansoprazole) amoxicillin/clarithromycin): Treatment to Eliminate Helicobacte Pylori - http://www.prevacid.com/products/prevpac-ulcer-treatment.aspx

14.) Peptic Ulcer Disease - http://www.aafp.org/afp/20071001/1005.html

15.) Prevpac Therapy Pack - http://www.drugs.com/cdi/prevpac-therapy-pack.html

16.) Prevpac - http://www.mongabay.com/health/medications/Prevpac.html

17.) Americans Unaware of Primary Cause of Peptic Ulcer Disease - http://www.mercola.com/1997/archive/peptic_ulcer.htm