Not all ulcers are the same. We explain their causes and differences.
Ulcers are much more than a common wound, hence they have their own classification. In this article we will talk about what an ulcer is, its different types, causes and treatments.
what are ulcers
Ulcers affect a protective tissue that separates two environments, such as the intra-organic environment from the rest of the body in the case of epithelia, mucous membranes in sensitive areas in contact with the outside environment, as in the case of genital, oral or nasal mucosa, or even the skin.
The involvement is described as a discontinuity of the affected tissue, due to a loss of necrotized tissue. This means that the part of the tissue that disappears does so after processes that cause cell death, whatever they may be. For practical purposes, we could define it as the death of a group of (living) bricks in a wall that separates two environments .
ulcer types
The effects of the ulcer will vary depending on the tissue affected, as will its causes. Below we summarize some types of ulcer before focusing on the most common: Peptic ulcer , which affects the digestive system.
1. Pressure ulcer
This is a type of ulcer that affects the skin or the tissues just below it. It is caused by continuous poor irrigation of the affected area, which added to the mechanical action (friction, pressure, shearing…) ends up producing the ulcer. There are four stages of severity of ulcers, with first degree being the least serious and fourth degree, very serious ulcers that can reach the bone .
They are ulcers related to patients with very limited mobility (such as elderly people, in comatose states or with obesity) and are generally avoidable with the correct patient care . To avoid ulcers, there are regular mobilization protocols for patients in periods of two to three hours, while controlling the humidity of the patient’s body and other correct placement factors that minimize the risk of ulcers.
2. Mouth ulcer
Less serious and caused by many factors, mouth ulcers are also known as canker sores or canker sores . They do not usually have complications, although the appearance of mouth ulcers that do not heal despite treatment can indicate the presence of oral cancer.
Some of its causes are as innocuous as a self-inflicted bite (usually unintentionally), but can be caused by viral (such as herpes) or bacterial (such as gingivitis) infections, emotional stress or allergies. They usually do not need specific treatment and usually resolve in less than two weeks , but there are mouthwashes that can help heal more quickly.
If you have canker sores, try to avoid very salty or hot foods, as they can be extremely unpleasant as well as worsen the situation of the ulcer.
3. Corneal ulcer
Ulcers that affect the cornea, the transparent structure of the eye that sits above the iris. They can be caused by physical trauma or infections, viral or bacterial. If left untreated and worsen, they can lead to blindness. Those who wear contact lenses are more prone to these types of injuries, especially those that are not removed for several days.
To avoid corneal ulcers, we must take care of our hygiene (do not touch our eyes with dirty hands, clean the lenses correctly and remove them according to the recommendation of our ophthalmologist) , as well as avoid wearing contact lenses if we suffer pain when putting them on that does not stop . The small injuries or scratches that we suffer in the eye can be complicated if we ignore this type of discomfort or do not have correct hygiene.
4. Genital ulcers
Yes, there too. Genital ulcers affect the area near or directly to the genitals. In addition, they tend to be linked more to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than to physical trauma, which gives them a component of transmissibility that makes them even less pleasant. The affected tissue usually presents suppurations of pus at the site of the injury.
To avoid them, the procedure is the same as to avoid sexually transmitted diseases: Avoid risky relationships (with people you don’t know) and if you maintain them, always use prophylactics such as condoms to minimize the risk of disease transmission. If we think we are affected by genital sores, we run the risk of infecting the people with whom we have sexual contact .
Genital ulcers can be caused by diseases such as syphilis or genital herpes , so the best thing is that if we notice an ulcer of this type and especially if we think we are at risk of STDs, it is to visit the doctor to determine the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.
- It may interest you: “Genital herpes: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment”
5. Peptic ulcers
This is the most common and well-known type of ulcer. In fact, when someone is affected by an ulcer, the first type that will come to mind is this. They are injuries that occur in the esophagus, the beginning of the duodenum, or the stomach .
This type of ulcer is caused by multiple factors, such as stress, diet or genetics. The curious thing is that one of the most important factors in the appearance of peptic ulcers is the presence of Helicobacter pylori , a pathogenic bacterium that invades the stomach epithelia and takes advantage of the acids of the digestive system to obtain energy (which uses, among other things, , to better defend itself from the stomach environment and bury itself more in the stomach epithelium).
The relationship between H.pylori and gastric ulcers began to be discovered when the Australian Robin Warren observed that half of the stomach biopsies of those affected by peptic ulcers presented H.pylori . His and Barry J. Marshall’s research on this topic earned them a well-deserved Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2005.
The curious thing about Warren and Marshall’s research is that, when they tried to inoculate the bacteria in animal models, such as pigs, they did not develop peptic ulcers. Frustrated, Robin Warren inoculated himself with a culture of H.pylori . After that, Warren began to develop peptic ulcers, the result of gastrointestinal inflammation that the bacteria were causing. After a course of antibiotics, his condition improved.
Prior to these experiments, H.Pylori was not considered to be a causative factor for peptic ulcer disease. After the brutal demonstration of Robin Warren, this bacterium is taken into account as a contributor to ulcers and stomach cancers.
conclusion
These are some of the types of ulcer that exist. It is a varied disorder, with different causes and treatment, but with the common characteristic of being caused by inflammatory processes that cause the death and disappearance of parts of protective tissues.
Fortunately, and thanks to scientists like Robin Warren, every day we know more about the causes of these diseases, which today are treatable in the vast majority of cases.
- It could help you: “Styes in the eye: causes, symptoms and treatment”
Bibliographic references
- Pincock, S. (2005). Nobel Prize winners Robin Warren and Barry Marshall. The Lancet, volume 366, issue 9495.
- JJY SUNG et al (2009). Systematic review: the global incidence and prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
