Peptic ulcer refers to the benign ulcer in the stomach and duodenum. The clinical presentation includes periodic and rhythmic epigastric pain accompanied with dyspeptic symptoms: acid regurgitation, belching, nausea, vomiting, etc. The ulcer of the stomach, 0.5 - 2.5 cm in diameter, is generally larger than that of the duodenum. In most cases, there is only one ulcerative focus; in a few cases there may be two ulcerative foci simultaneously, which is called complex ulcer. Peptic ulcer is a frequently encountered disease and it may be found in 10% - 12 % of the world's population. Most of the patients are young adults and there are more mate patients than female ones. Duodenal ulcer is more common than gastric ulcer and both of them last a long period of 10 - 20 years or even longer. If large quantity of bleeding, perforation, pylorochesis and cancerization occur, it is indicative of a critical condition with poor prognosis. Continue to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Peptic Ulcer.
It was thought that the formation of the ulcer is due to the autodigestion of the mucous membrane by the gastric acid and pepsin. In recent years, it has been considered that this disease is closely associated with the infection of helicobacter pylori (HP). In addition, it is also relevant to inheritance, geographic environmental factors,emotions, diet, cigarette smoking and some drugs.
This disease belongs to the scope of "wei wan tong"(epigastric pain), "tun suan" (acid regurgitation) and"cao za" (epigastric upset). It is due to long-term emotional disturbance, improper diet and over exertion. At the early stage, it presents as qi stagnation which is caused by spleen deficiency and liver qi stagnation. Qi stagnation may further turn into heat and cause retention of dampness and stagnation of blood.
