Effect of eating on peptic ulcers...

[CBG23]

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Just got a question wrong on this and can't find a good explanation for it. Apparently eating relieves the pain of a duodenal ulcer temporarily. I know that the duodenal ulcer pain gets worse when the chyme (and acid) moves into the duodenal a few hours after eating, but why does the pain get better when eating/ right after a meal?

 

[iA-MD2013]

I always thought it's because food buffers the acidity of stomach (increases to pH 4-5) and that decreases the acidity in the duodenum.

Maybe there's more to it...?

 

[jfgavina]

no more to add, I think.

 

[drosenb3]

eating eventually stimulates secretin to release bicarb into duodenum, neutralizes acid, less irritation

 

[iA-MD2013]

eating eventually stimulates secretin to release bicarb into duodenum, neutralizes acid, less irritation

Good call...that makes sense.

And why are peptic ulcers worse with food?

 

[drosenb3]

Good call...that makes sense.

And why are peptic ulcers worse with food?

gastric ulcers are worse with food cuz eating and thinking about eating=rest and digest=parasym via vagus=1)Ach acting on parietal cell=HCL=more acid on ulcer=ouch 2) most important-vagus, parasym--> Gastrin Releasing Peptide stimulates G Cells--->Gastrin stimulates ECL cells--->histamine-->parietal cells> HCL=acid on stomach with ulcer = no mucosal protection+ acid (ph around 2)=pain

 

[iA-MD2013]

Awesome! Thanks!