Ask the Doctor: What causes stomach ulcers?

Dear doctor,
What causes stomach ulcers? Tell me the difference between duodenal and peptic ulcers
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

A stomach ulcer is a wound found in the acidic areas of the alimentary canal, that is the stomach, duodenum (outlet to the stomach) and lower oesophagus (inlet to the stomach). They are called peptic ulcers, because the majority of them are caused by a germ infection (Helicobacter Pylori). The other major causes are painkiller drugs such as Aspirin or Diclofenac.

Peptic ulcers found in the stomach are known as gastric ulcers, in the duodenum, duodenal ulcers, and in the lower oesophagus, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease.

Apart from lifestyle changes like avoiding smoking and taking painkillers only when they are prescribed, treatment of peptic ulcers involves mainly checking for the helicobacter germ and eradicating it.

Sometimes I have periods after 32 days and other times, it is 25 days. Sometimes I bleed for three days, and other times for seven days. I have been told I need hormones to stabilise this. Shall I get pregnant in future? My husband has two children outside marriage. I am now taking supplements as advised so that I avoid hormones.
Restetuta Ssabakaki

Dear Restetuta,

Although the average cycle is 28 days, it is perfectly normal to have a cycle that is as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days, the cycle being controlled by hormones. Even in the same woman or among different women, the number of days may not always be the same, varying from two to seven days. A woman may have a set number of days for her periods but after childbirth or contraception, the days may change completely.

The brain sends hormones to the ovaries which also make the other hormones (oestrogens to build up the inner lining of the uterus and progesterone, produced after ovulation, to nurture the lining for the fertilised egg to implant in). A change in brain or the said hormone levels can affect the cycle or fertility. (Other hormones including those of the thyroid may also do the same).

In your case, it is likely that your hormones are normal and, barring other fertility problems, you are most likely to get pregnant as you wish.

When a doctor finds out that a woman may have menstruation and fertility problems due to abnormal hormone levels, the aim of treatment is to help restore the levels with eventual normalising of periods and fertility.

This can be done together with other ways to help boost your own or your husband’s fertility for better results. Taking the correct food supplements can boost fertility especially that of your husband but supplements taken alone without correcting the abnormal hormone levels may not lead to success in most women. Since a man can have children somewhere else and fail to have them with another, a woman may also have children with another man. You need to visit your doctor together with your husband even if he may have no fertility problems. He should give you psychological support because it is also a necessary booster of fertility.

Dear doctor,
In Uganda, today, more than ever before, parents are faced with a problem whereby toddlers may drink paraffin. As a parent, if my child took paraffin, what first aid should I give? Kenneth

Dear Kenneth,

In Uganda, paraffin (kerosene) is used for cooking and lighting. As such it will be found in many of our homes, whether they are rural or urban. Often times, toddlers or young children drink paraffin accidentally mistaking it for drinking water since it is usually stored in soda or beer bottles.Sometimes, the paraffin is given to them by others who also mistake it for drinking water.