Why do gastric ulcers often recur?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Gastroenterology - Endoscopy, Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Recurrent stomach ulcers are often caused by patients not complying with the treatment regimen, unscientific eating and resting, or being re-infected with Helicobacter pylori, which affects their mental health, health and quality of life. patient.

Gastric ulcers are the result of an imbalance between protective factors - attacking the stomach lining. The cause of this disorder comes from Helicobacter oylori (HP) infection, prolonged stress, tobacco and alcohol abuse, which increases the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach.
At that time, Helicobacter pylori HP, gastric acid and digestive enzymes increase sharply, overcoming the protective mucus layer of the stomach to attack the gastric mucosa. The stomach cells are damaged, necrotic and forming foci of congestive inflammation, erosive inflammation. If left untreated, these foci of inflammation can develop into extensive and deep ulcerative lesions that are difficult to treat or cannot be completely treated.
Gastric ulcer disease is assessed as having a high risk of recurrence. Therefore, the treatment of the disease becomes more and more difficult. Finally, the disease can cause dangerous complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric perforation or stomach cancer,...

2.1 Reinfection with Helicobacter pylori HP

Up to 80% of patients with peptic ulcers are infected with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori HP. If after treatment, the patient is re-infected with Helicobacter pylori HP, the stomach ulcer will easily recur. The causes of HP re-infection include:
HP infection due to shared eating and drinking habits: HP bacteria are highly contagious through mouth-to-mouth. They exist in the food, water, and oral cavity of the carrier. Meanwhile, Vietnamese people have a habit of eating and drinking together, so there is a very high risk of HP infection. When HP has entered the body, the risk of gastric ulcer recurrence is very high; HP infection due to poor hygiene conditions: HP bacteria can be carried in feces into the environment. For people who have a habit of eating raw vegetables, do not wash their hands before eating, after going to the toilet, it will create conditions for HP bacteria to penetrate, causing the phenomenon of stomach ulcers that recur many times. 2.2 Patients do not comply with the treatment regimen Most people with peptic ulcers often do not comply with the treatment regimen of the doctor, or give up halfway when their symptoms are relieved or buy antibiotics to treat the disease on their own. . Meanwhile, if antibiotics are not used correctly, they can make stomach ulcers worse, HP bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, making it difficult to completely treat the disease and make the disease easy to recur.
2.3 Unscientific lifestyle Unscientific living habits such as eating a lot of sour and spicy substances; eating and drinking at the wrong time; drink a lot of alcohol; Stressful work, or being stressed, ... is the cause of stomach ulcers often recurring.

The patient needs to use the drug exactly as prescribed by the doctor; Patients follow a reasonable diet and scientific activities: Do not eat sour and spicy substances, limit the use of alcohol or carbonated drinks, do not smoke; Should get enough sleep, avoid staying up late; Avoid nervous tension, prolonged anxiety; Exercise regularly; Maintain cleanliness in living and eating. Treatment of stomach ulcers is a long-term "battle", so the patient needs to work well with the doctor, have a moderate and scientific lifestyle to cure the disease thoroughly and reduce the risk of recurrence.