As we further investigate peptic and digestive ulcers, it is important to understand what the common conventional treatments for the condition are. Today in the United States the most common treatments are through “Conventional Medicine”, which is the most abundant and common theoretical practice of western medicine. In other words, the majority of the time that you go to see your physician for your ulcer, he will usually recommend or prescribe a medicine or drug to treat it. The physician will do so by following western medicine or allopathic guidelines as opposed to homeopathic which will be talked about later. The allopathic drugs prescribed are usually of a synthetic blend and non-organic, and are used as active agents or physical interventions to treat or suppress symptoms for pathophysiological processes of diseases or conditions.
In more detail, the most common conventional treatments are usually prescribed drugs. These drugs could either be utilized as an antibiotic for H. Pylori, a condition that is known major cause for ulcers; or could be used for shutting down acid production in the stomach, creating a better environment for ulcer healing. Here are some examples of common treatments and interventions for peptic and digestive ulcers.
-Antibiotic meds to kill H. Pylori: A non-common bacterium that dwells in your digestive tract can be killed by a combination of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (flagy) and tetracycline.
-Medications that block acid production: They call this class of drugs “proton pump inhibitors”. They work by blocking the parts on the cells that produce acid in the stomach and help promote healing of the ulcer. Some names of these drugs include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Although it is said that overuse of these types of drugs can extract a significant amount of calcium from the bone, and therefore, the one taking the drug can become more susceptible to skeletal fractures.
-Antacids that neutralize stomach acid: Theses drugs are usually found over the counter and used as an instant acid reducer in the stomach. They work by neutralizing stomach acid, which will provide instant relief of ulcers. Some include TUMS & Rolaids.
-Medications that protect the lining of your stomach: They call this class of drugs “cytoprotective agents”. It is used to protect epithelial tissue especially the intricate lining of the stomach and intestines from strong acids attacking or creating any ulcers. These drugs include prescription medications such as sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec). A usual non-prescription cytoprotective agent is bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
There are some who may or may not agree with conventional medicine and have found other alternative treatments. Today, these drugs, medications and other interventions are used as the mainstream allopathic intervention to treat ulcers in the United States.
References
“H. pylori and peptic ulcers.” National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Web 27 October 2011 http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.htm.
“Peptic Ulcer: Treatment and drugs” Mayo Clinic Online Medical Education and Research. Web 27 October 2011
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pepticulcer/DS00242/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
“Allopathic medicine emerges as the primary western medical model” The New Medicine. Web 27 October 2011 http://www.thenewmedicine.org/timeline/allopathy
“Peptic Ulcer: Medications” University of Maryland Medical Center Online Reference. Web 27 October 2011 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/peptic-ulcer-000125.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment