Sunday, September 23, 2012

Trader Joe's recalls peanut butter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The grocery store chain Trader Joe's is recalling peanut butter that has been linked to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states.

The Food and Drug Administration and the federal Centers for Disease Control said Saturday that the store's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter, which is sold nationwide, is the likely source of the outbreak. The agencies are investigating whether any other items sold at the store could be contaminated.

More than three-fourths of those who became ill were children under the age of 18. No deaths have been reported.

The FDA issued a statement Saturday saying that the FDA, the CDC and the state of California briefed Trader Joe's on its investigation showing the link between the peanut butter and the illnesses on Sept. 20. The company then agreed to remove the product from store shelves.

The government did not release which states had reported illnesses, but several states have issued warnings to residents not to eat the peanut butter. According to the individual states' health departments, three cases were in Massachusetts, one was in Rhode Island and one was in North Carolina.

The CDC said people became sick between June 11 and Sept. 2. Information may not be available for those who were sickened after August.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. It is most dangerous to children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems

Over 50 Fair for Boomers

For all the boomers out there...a celebration aimed at the over 50 crowd will be held next Sunday (9/30/2012) at the Melville Marriott. Workshops will be held on many topics including-
Zumba
Yoga
Tai Chi
As well as other topics ranging from sleep apnea and reverse mortgages.


Here are some of the types of businesses/organizations that will be participating:

Interests for those Over 50
Wellness
Exercise Classes

Health for those Over 50
Health Care Professionals
Nutrition

Lifestyle for those Over 50
Education
Travel Ideas
Spare Time for those Over 50
Volunteering
Business Opportunities

Finances for those Over 50
Estate Planning
Long Term Care Insurance

Living Arrangements for those Over 50
Real Estate
In Home Care


For more info:
516-621-1446 or see http://www.over50Fair.com
A small admission is being charged.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Computer game aims to zap teen depression and isolation

Long viewed as a contributing factor in teenage isolation, computer games are now being used to treat adolescent depression in an innovative New Zealand programme.

 Rather than simply encouraging players to engage in mindless destruction, the SPARX video game attempts to teach teenagers how to deal with depression using a psychological approach known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

 Just as importantly, its creators set out to make the game exciting for those teenagers who are often reluctant to seek counselling and bored by well-meaning advice on how to cope with depression. The result is a role-playing fantasy game, where teenagers adopt a warrior avatar ... Click for full article from Yahoo news.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment

Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview (PDQ®) - National Cancer Institute
Key Points for This Section


A childhood brain or spinal cord tumor is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the tissues of the brain or spinal cord.

There are many types of childhood brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors are formed by the abnormal growth of cells and may begin in different areas of the brain or spinal cord. Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS).

The tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign brain tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. They rarely spread into other tissues. Malignant brain tumors are likely to grow quickly and spread into other brain tissue. When a tumor grows into or presses on an area of the brain, it may stop that part of the brain from working the way it should. Both benign and malignant brain tumors can cause symptoms and need treatment.

The brain controls many important body functions.

The brain has three major parts:

  • The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is at the top of the head. The cerebrum controls thinking, learning, problem solving, emotions, speech, reading, writing, and voluntary movement.
  • The cerebellum, which is in the lower back of the brain (near the middle of the back of the head), controls movement, balance, and posture.
  • The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is in the lowest part of the brain (just above the back of the neck). The brain stem controls breathing, heart rate, and the nerves and muscles used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating.
Anatomy of the brain, showing the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and other parts of the brain. Anatomy of the inside of the brain, showing the pineal and pituitary glands, optic nerve, ventricles (with cerebrospinal fluid shown in blue), and other parts of the brain.

The spinal cord connects the brain with nerves in most parts of the body.

The spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that runs from the brain stem down the center of the back. It is covered by three thin layers of tissue called membranes. These membranes are surrounded by the vertebrae (back bones). Spinal cord nerves carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body, such as a signal from the brain to cause muscles to move or from the skin to the brain about the sense of touch.

Brain and spinal cord tumors are a common type of childhood cancer.

Although cancer is rare in children, brain and spinal cord tumors are the third most common type of childhood cancer, after leukemia and lymphoma. Brain tumors can occur in both children and adults. Treatment for children is usually different than treatment for adults. (See the PDQ treatment summary on Adult Brain Tumors for more information.)

This summary describes the treatment of primary brain and spinal cord tumors (tumors that begin in the brain and spinal cord). Treatment of metastatic brain and spinal cord tumors, which are tumors formed by cancer cells that begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain or spinal cord, is not covered in this summary.

There are different types of childhood brain and spinal cord tumors.

Childhood brain and spinal cord tumors are named based on the type of cell they formed in and where the tumor first formed in the CNS.

Astrocytomas

Childhood astrocytomas are tumors that form in cells called astrocytes. They can be low-grade or high-grade tumors. The grade of the tumor describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. High-grade astrocytomas are fast-growing, malignant tumors. Low-grade astrocytomas are slow-growing tumors that are less likely to be malignant. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Astrocytomas Treatment for more information.)

Brain Stem Glioma

Childhood brain stem gliomas form in the brain stem (the part of the brain connected to the spinal cord). (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment for more information.)

Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors

Childhood CNS embryonal tumors form in brain and spinal cord cells when the fetus is beginning to develop. They include the following types of tumors:

(See the PDQ summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors

Childhood CNS germ cell tumors form in germ cells, which are cells that develop into sperm or ova (eggs). Germ cell tumors can be either benign or malignant. There are different types of childhood germ cell tumors:

Germ cell brain tumors usually form in the center of the brain, near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a tiny organ in the brain that makes melatonin, which is a substance that helps control the sleeping and waking cycle. Germ cell tumors can spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

Childhood CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) form in immature cells in the cerebrum. (See the PDQ treatment summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Craniopharyngioma

Childhood craniopharyngiomas are tumors that usually form just above the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is found in the center of the brain behind the back of the nose. It is about the size of a pea and controls many important body functions including growth. Craniopharyngiomas rarely spread, but may affect important areas of the brain, such as the pituitary gland. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Craniopharyngioma Treatment for more information.)

Ependymoma

Childhood ependymomas are slow-growing tumors formed in cells that line the fluid -filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Ependymoma Treatment for more information.)

Ependymoblastoma

Ependymoblastomas are fast-growing, malignant tumors formed by cells that line the fluid -filled spaces in the brain and spinal cord. These are rare tumors that are most common in infants and young children. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Malignant Glioma

Malignant gliomas are cancers of the brain that begins in glial cells (cells that surround and support nerve cells). Astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas are types of malignant gliomas. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Astrocytomas Treatment for more information.)

Medulloblastoma

Childhood medulloblastomas form in the cerebellum. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Medulloepithelioma

Medulloepitheliomas form in tissue made up of sensory cells that line tubelike spaces in the brain and spinal cord. These are rare tumors that are most common in infants and young children. They are usually malignant. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

Spinal Cord Tumors

Tumors of many different cell types may form in the spinal cord. Low-grade spinal cord tumors usually do not spread. High-grade spinal cord tumors may spread to other places in the spinal cord or brain. See the following PDQ summaries for more information:

Tumors of the Pineal Region

Pineal region tumors form in or near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a tiny organ in the center of the brain. The gland makes melatonin, a substance that helps control our sleep cycle. (See the PDQ treatment summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

The cause of most childhood brain and spinal cord tumors is unknown.

The symptoms of childhood brain and spinal cord tumors are not the same in every child.

Headaches and other symptoms may be caused by childhood brain and spinal cord tumors. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

Brain Tumors

  • Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting.
  • Frequent nausea and vomiting.
  • Vision, hearing, and speech problems.
  • Loss of balance and trouble walking.
  • Unusual sleepiness or change in activity level.
  • Unusual changes in personality or behavior.
  • Seizures.
  • Increase in the head size (in infants).

Spinal Cord Tumors

  • Back pain or pain that spreads from the back towards the arms or legs.
  • A change in bowel habits or trouble urinating.
  • Weakness in the legs.
  • Trouble walking.

In addition to these symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors, some children are unable to reach certain growth and development milestones such as sitting up, walking, and talking in sentences.

Tests that examine the brain and spinal cord are used to detect (find) childhood brain and spinal cord tumors.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

  • Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
  • Neurological exam: A series of questions and tests to check the brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. The exam checks a person’s mental status, coordination, and ability to walk normally, and how well the muscles, senses, and reflexes work. This may also be called a neuro exam or a neurologic exam.
  • Serum tumor marker test: A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs, tissues, or tumor cells in the body. Certain substances are linked to specific types of cancer when found in increased levels in the blood. These are called tumor markers.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with gadolinium: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord. A substance called gadolinium is injected into a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
  • CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
  • Angiogram: A procedure to look at blood vessels and the flow of blood in the brain. A contrast dye is injected into the blood vessel. As the contrast dye moves through the blood vessel, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages.
  • PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.

Most childhood brain tumors are diagnosed and removed in surgery.

If doctors think there might be a brain tumor, a biopsy may be done to remove a sample of tissue. For tumors in the brain, the biopsy is done by removing part of the skull and using a needle to remove a sample of tissue. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the doctor may remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same surgery. The pathologist checks the cancer cells to find out the type and grade of brain tumor. The grade of the tumor is based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.

The following tests may be done on the sample of tissue that is removed:

  • Immunohistochemistry study: A laboratory test in which a substance such as an antibody, dye, or radioisotope is added to a sample of cancer tissue to test for certain antigens. This type of study is used to tell the difference between different types of cancer.
  • Light and electron microscopy: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high-powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells.
  • Cytogenetic analysis: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes in the chromosomes.

Some childhood brain and spinal cord tumors are diagnosed by imaging tests.

Sometimes a biopsy or surgery cannot be done safely because of where the tumor formed in the brain or spinal cord. These tumors are diagnosed based on the results of imaging tests and other procedures.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery).

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

  • Whether there are any cancer cells left after surgery.
  • The type of tumor.
  • The location of the tumor.
  • The child's age.
  • Whether the tumor has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

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Next Section >

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What is a peptic ulcer?


Drawing of the digestive system         with the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, duodenum,         pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus         labeled. Inset drawing shows a peptic ulcer with the ulcer         labeled.
H. pylori bacteria can cause peptic ulcers—sores on the
lining of the stomach or duodenum.

A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the beginning of the small intestine. Less commonly, a peptic ulcer may develop just above the stomach in the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

A peptic ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer. One that occurs in the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer. People can have both gastric and duodenal ulcers at the same time. They also can develop peptic ulcers more than once in their lifetime.

Peptic ulcers are common. Each year in the United States, about half a million people develop a peptic ulcer.1

1Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC. Peptic ulcer disease. American Family Physician. 2007;76(7):1005–1012.

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What causes peptic ulcers?

A bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major cause of peptic ulcers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are another common cause. Rarely, cancerous or noncancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas cause ulcers.

Peptic ulcers are not caused by stress or eating spicy food, but both can make ulcer symptoms worse. Smoking and drinking alcohol also can worsen ulcers and prevent healing.

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What is H. pylori?

H. pylori is a type of bacteria—a germ that may cause infection. H. pylori infection is common, particularly in developing countries, and often begins in childhood. Symptoms usually don't occur until adulthood, although most people never have any symptoms.

H. pylori causes more than half of peptic ulcers worldwide.2 The bacterium causes peptic ulcers by damaging the mucous coating that protects the stomach and duodenum. Damage to the mucous coating allows powerful stomach acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Together, the stomach acid and H. pylori irritate the lining of the stomach or duodenum and cause an ulcer.

Yet, most people infected with H. pylori never develop ulcers. Why the bacterium causes ulcers in some people and not in others is not known. Most likely, development of ulcers depends on characteristics of the infected person; the type, or strain, of H. pylori present; and factors researchers have yet to discover.

2Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease; economics of peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. www.cdc.gov/ulcer/economic.htm. Accessed February 23, 2009.

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How is H. pylori spread?

Researchers are not certain how H. pylori is transmitted, although they think it may be spread through contaminated food or water. People may pick up the bacterium from food that has not been washed well or cooked properly or from drinking water that has come from an unclean source.

Other research is exploring how infection spreads from an infected person to an uninfected person. Studies suggest that having contact with the stool or vomit of an infected person can spread H. pylori infection. And H. pylori has been found in the saliva of some infected people, which means infection could be spread through direct contact with saliva.

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What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer?

Abdominal discomfort is the most common symptom of both duodenal and gastric ulcers. Felt anywhere between the navel and the breastbone, this discomfort usually

  • is a dull or burning pain
  • occurs when the stomach is empty—between meals or during the night
  • may be briefly relieved by eating food, in the case of duodenal ulcers, or by taking antacids, in both types of peptic ulcers
  • lasts for minutes to hours
  • comes and goes for several days or weeks

Other symptoms include

  • weight loss
  • poor appetite
  • bloating
  • burping
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Some people experience only mild symptoms or none at all.

Emergency Symptoms

A person who has any of the following symptoms should call a doctor right away:

  • sharp, sudden, persistent, and severe stomach pain
  • bloody or black stools
  • bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

These “alarm” symptoms could be signs of a serious problem, such as

  • bleeding—when acid or the peptic ulcer breaks a blood vessel
  • perforation—when the peptic ulcer burrows completely through the stomach or duodenal wall
  • obstruction—when the peptic ulcer blocks the path of food trying to leave the stomach

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How is an H. pylori-induced ulcer diagnosed?

Noninvasive Techniques

If a patient has peptic ulcer symptoms, the doctor first asks about use of over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs. Patients who are taking an NSAID are asked to stop, reduce the dose, or switch to another medication.

Then the doctor tests to see if H. pylori is present. Testing is important because H. pylori-induced ulcers are treated differently than ulcers caused by NSAIDs.

Doctors use one of three simple, noninvasive tests to detect H. pylori in a patient's blood, breath, or stool. Because the breath test and stool test more accurately detect H. pylori than the blood test, some doctors prefer to use one of these two tests. Each test described below is easily performed, often in an outpatient setting such as a doctor's office or lab.

Blood test. A blood sample is taken from the patient's vein and tested for H. pylori antibodies. Antibodies are substances the body produces to fight invading harmful substances—called antigens—such as the H. pylori bacterium.

Urea breath test. The patient swallows a capsule, liquid, or pudding that contains urea “labeled” with a special carbon atom. After a few minutes, the patient breathes into a container, exhaling carbon dioxide. If the carbon atom is found in the exhaled breath, H. pylori is present, as this bacterium contains large amounts of urease, a chemical that breaks urea down into carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Stool antigen test. The patient provides a stool sample, which is tested for H. pylori antigens.

Invasive Techniques

If a patient has any alarm symptoms, the doctor orders an endoscopy or upper gastrointestinal (GI) series. Many doctors also recommend these tests for patients who first experience peptic ulcer symptoms around age 50. Often performed as outpatient procedures in a hospital, both procedures are painless and allow the doctor to look inside the patient's stomach and duodenum.

For an endoscopy, the patient is lightly sedated. The doctor passes an endoscope—a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera on the end—into the patient's mouth and down the throat to the stomach and duodenum. With this tool, the doctor can closely examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

The doctor can use the endoscope to take photos of ulcers or remove a tiny piece of tissue—no bigger than a match head—to view with a microscope. This procedure is called a biopsy. The biopsied tissue is examined to see if H. pylori is present.

If an ulcer is bleeding, the doctor can use the endoscope to inject medicines that help the blood clot or to guide a heat probe that burns tissue to stop bleeding—a process called cauterization.

For an upper GI series, the patient drinks a white, chalky liquid called barium. The barium makes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum and any ulcers show up on an x ray. Sedation is not necessary for this procedure.

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How is an H. pylori-induced ulcer treated?

Peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori are treated with drugs that kill the bacteria, reduce stomach acid, and protect the stomach and duodenal lining.

Antibiotics are used to kill H. pylori. Antibiotic regimens may differ throughout the world because some strains of H. pylori have become resistant to certain antibiotics—meaning that an antibiotic that once destroyed the bacterium is no longer effective. Doctors closely follow research on antibiotic treatments for H. pylori infection to know which treatment strategy will destroy which strain.

Medicines that reduce stomach acid include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers). Both acid-reducing medicines help relieve peptic ulcer pain after a few weeks and promote ulcer healing. PPIs and H2 blockers work in different ways:

  • PPIs suppress acid production by halting the mechanism that pumps acid into the stomach.
  • H2 blockers work by blocking histamine, which stimulates acid secretion.

While PPIs cannot kill H. pylori, research shows they do help fight the H. pylori infection. Research also shows that after 4 weeks of treatment, patients taking PPIs had earlier pain relief and better healing rates than those taking H2 blockers.

Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) coats ulcers, protecting them from stomach acid. Although bismuth subsalicylate may kill H. pylori, it is used with—not in place of—antibiotics in some treatment regimens.

In the United States, clarithromycin-based triple therapy—triple therapy, for short—is the standard treatment for an ulcer caused by H. pylori. The doctor prescribes the antibiotic clarithromycin, a PPI, and the antibiotics amoxicillin or metronidazole for 10 to 14 days. Because research shows higher cure rates with 14 days of treatment, some doctors now prescribe triple therapy for this longer period.

Bismuth quadruple therapy is another treatment strategy used in the United States. The patient takes a PPI, bismuth subsalicylate, and the antibiotics tetracycline and metronidazole for 10 to 14 days. Bismuth quadruple therapy is used to treat patients in one of several situations, including if the patient

  • cannot take amoxicillin—a penicillin-like antibiotic—because of a penicillin allergy
  • has been treated before with a macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin
  • is still infected with H. pylori because triple therapy failed to kill the bacteria

Triple therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy may cause nausea and other side effects, including

  • stomach upset
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • a metallic taste
  • a darkened tongue or stools
  • flushing when drinking alcohol
  • sensitivity to the sun

Patients should discuss any bothersome side effects with their doctor, who may prescribe other medicines to kill the bacteria and cure the ulcer.

Although antibiotics can cure 80 to 90 percent of ulcers caused by H. pylori, eliminating the bacteria can be difficult. Patients must take all medicines exactly as prescribed, even when the peptic ulcer pain is gone.

At least 4 weeks after treatment, doctors test patients using a breath or stool test to be sure the H. pylori infection has been cured. Blood tests are not useful after treatment because a patient's blood can test positive for H. pylori even after the bacteria have been eliminated.

If infection is still present, ulcers could recur or, less commonly, stomach cancer could develop. Thus, some patients need to take more than one round of medicines to kill the H. pylori bacteria. Bismuth quadruple therapy is one of several treatments used after initial treatment has failed—a strategy called “rescue” or “salvage” therapy. In the second round of treatment, the doctor prescribes different antibiotics than those used in the first round. Amoxicillin, however, can be used again to treat H. pylori infection because H. pylori resistance to this antibiotic is rare.

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Can antacids or milk help a peptic ulcer heal?

An antacid may make the ulcer pain go away temporarily, but it will not kill H. pylori. People being treated for an H. pylori ulcer should check with their doctor before taking antacids. Some of the antibiotics used to kill H. pylori may not work as well if combined with an antacid.

People used to believe drinking milk helped peptic ulcers heal. But doctors know now that while milk may make an ulcer feel better briefly, it also increases stomach acid, which can make ulcers worse. Patients should talk with their doctor about drinking milk while an ulcer is healing.

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Can H. pylori infection be prevented?

No one knows for sure how H. pylori spreads, so prevention is difficult. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine to prevent—and even cure—H. pylori infection. To help prevent infection, doctors advise people to

  • wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating
  • eat food that has been washed well and cooked properly
  • drink water from a clean, safe source

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Points to Remember

  • A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

  • Most peptic ulcers are caused by H. pylori. Use of NSAIDs—such as aspirin and ibuprofen—is another common cause.

  • Neither stress nor spicy food causes ulcers. Smoking or drinking alcohol, however, each can worsen ulcers and prevent their healing.

  • The abdominal discomfort of peptic ulcers
    – feels like a dull or burning pain
    – occurs when the stomach is empty—between meals or during the night
    – may be briefly relieved by eating food, in the case of duodenal ulcers, or by taking antacids, in both types of peptic ulcers
    – lasts for minutes to hours
    – comes and goes for several days or weeks

  • A combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medicines is the most effective treatment for H. pylori-induced peptic ulcers.

  • Testing after treatment is needed to be sure the H. pylori infection is gone.

  • To help prevent an H. pylori infection, people should
    – wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating
    – eat properly prepared food
    – drink water from a clean, safe source

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Hope through Research

While H. pylori infection is becoming less common in developed countries, some strains of the bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics that are used to destroy it. Researchers have identified and continue to study new antibiotic combinations that can kill these types of H. pylori.

Other promising research may help identify treatments that

  • kill the H. pylori bacteria with fewer medicines in less time
  • use different antibiotic combinations in back-to-back treatment
  • better protect the stomach lining when eliminating H. pylori

Researchers also are studying

  • characteristics of H. pylori bacteria
  • traits of people who develop H. pylori ulcers
  • transmission of H. pylori infection
  • vaccines to prevent and cure H. pylori infection

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

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For More Information

American College of Gastroenterology
P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827–2260
Phone: 301–263–9000
Internet: www.acg.gi.orgleaving site icon

American Gastroenterological Association
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301–654–2055
Fax: 301–654–5920
Email: member@gastro.org
Internet: www.gastro.orgleaving site icon

You may also find additional information about this topic by visiting MedlinePlus at www.medlineplus.gov.

This publication may contain information about medications. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information.

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Acknowledgments

Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was reviewed by Sheila Crowe, M.D., and David Peura, M.D., University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.