Stomach and duodenal ulcer: prevention
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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One of the significant problems of peptic ulcer is the possibility of recurrence (return) of the disease. In some cases, after the successful completion of treatment (the disappearance of the symptoms of exacerbation, cicatrization of the ulcer) several months later the ulcer opens again.
[Anti-relapse treatment of peptic ulcer and drug prevention
Two schemes of anti-relapse treatment of peptic ulcer are possible: continuous maintenance therapy, which involves a long daily intake of one of the antisecretory drugs in a half dose; intermittent therapy.
Intermittent therapy in turn is carried out in two ways:
- Prophylactic therapy "on demand" means that the patient independently starts taking the medicine (one of the antisecretory drugs) when symptoms of peptic ulcer exacerbation appear in a full daily dose for 2-3 days, and then in a half - for 2 weeks.
Indication for this therapy - the appearance of symptoms of peptic ulcer after the successful eradication of N. Pylori.
If after 3 days the symptoms were stopped (disappeared), you should continue taking these drugs for another 14 days; if the symptoms have not disappeared, then you must immediately visit a doctor for FEGS and other studies, as provided for exacerbation of the disease, and make sure the success of H. Pylori eradication . ;
- "Weekend therapy" includes taking an antisecretory drug for 3 consecutive days - on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the week, the medicine is not taken.
To prevent recurrence, continuous maintenance therapy is more effective, but side effects of drugs should be considered.
The choice of this or that scheme, the choice of drugs, their dosage and duration of admission is determined in each case by a doctor. Continuous maintenance therapy is indicated:
- in the presence of a patient in the past complications of peptic ulcer (bleeding, perforation);
- if necessary, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - aspirin, ibuprofen, etc .;
- if the previous treatment (at least 2 courses of eradication antimicrobial therapy) was unsuccessful;
- if present, in addition to gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or ulcers of the esophagus;
- if a patient older than 60 years, despite the correct treatment, every year relapse of peptic ulcer disease.