Good post.

I quite enjoyed it until I saw the words that it can't be cured. As a Pharmacist I know many people who had peptic ulcers and are now ulcer free.

The way I describe it to people is that a peptic ulcer is very similar to a cut/wound on your skin. On the skin it will develop a scab then slowly heal over. However, if you pick at the scab or continue to irritate the skin then the wound will never heal.

In your stomach there is acid in there every minute of every day. That acid is corrosive and as long as it is there that poor wound will never have a chance to heal.

However, if you get rid of the acid the stomach most certainly can heal. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, Dexlansoprazole and others can all reduce acid for 90% or so allowing the stomach to heal. Other medications such as H2 blockers (ranitidine, famotidine, cimetidine and others) can also be used although they reduce acid less and are overall less effective to allow the peptic ulcer to heal.

Another thing that I would take issue with is that stomach acid is used to digest the food. That is only partially true. I have so many people are worried about their stomach acid medication because they think it will cause poor nutrition from bad digestion. Stomach acid and pepsin are responsible for some protein digestion. Maybe 5% of it. However, it is the pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin and others) that the pancreas releases into the intestine that do the majority of the digestion.

But I still don't recommend long term PPI use for two reasons: (1) Acid kills bacteria and you are less likely to get sick from your food or from improper handwashing with the acid as a first line of defense. (2) Acid mobilizes metals and is very helpful for absorption of iron, calcium, and magnesium. Short term use of PPI's is no problem but long term I'd watch things like iron and check for signs of anemia.

Last note. If you are overweight peptic ulcers could be a problem. Too much fat isn't good for the stomach. Increase weight also puts pressure on the stomach and can the internal sphincters causing acid reflux (GERD) and over time that can be a factor in peptic ulcers also.

Overall though I really enjoyed your article.

Thank you.