Patient was educated on complications of peptic ulcer development as follows: Non-healing peptic ulcers Peptic ulcers could be resistant to healing in patients with noncompliance to smoking and alcohol cessation and noncompliance with the medication prescribed to promote healing. Recurrent exposure to H. pylori infection and poor dietary habits also contribute to poor healing of the ulcers. Unexplained weight loss Non-healing peptic ulcers can result in long term indigestion and contribute towards poor nutrient absorption, [...]

Patient was educated on symptoms of peptic ulcer development as follows: Dyspepsia and indigestion H. pylori, the bacterium causing the peptic ulcers, breaks down urea in the stomach and will produce ammonia. The ammonia produced will neutralize the acid in the stomach. Gastric acid is needed for digestion of food and neutralization of the acid results in poor digestion of food and dyspepsia. Abdominal pain Damage to the mucus layer provides access for the acid [...]

Patient was educated on causes of peptic ulcer development as follows: Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Smoking Damage to the mucus lining of stomach and intestine can also be brought about by excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, thus contributing towards development of peptic ulcers. Certain Conditions Condition such as, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, in which patients develop tumors of the acid producing cells in the stomach, resulting in excessive production of acid. This excessive acid production can dominate [...]

Patient was educated on causes of peptic ulcer development as follows: Pylori This is a bacterium that resides in the mucus lining of the stomach and small intestine. This bacterium produces enzymes that kill the mucus producing cells and damage the mucus lining of the stomach. Acid in the stomach can now easily access the inner lining of the stomach and intestines, damage them, resulting in peptic ulcer development. Use of NSAIDs Use of NSAIDs [...]

Patient was educated on pathogenesis of development of peptic ulcer as follows: The inner surface of the stomach and intestines is coated with thick mucus, produced by the cells lining the stomach. This thick mucus layer acts as a natural barrier and protects the stomach and intestines from the action of the gastric acid secreted in the stomach. In situations of excessive acid production or compromised mucus secretion, the fine balance between the attacking acid [...]