By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Dr Morenike Osundina, Consultant Gastroenterologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has advocated for a framework to ensure that people are promptly tested and treated for peptic ulcer.
Osundina made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.
She remarked that the cost of testing and treating of diseases such as Peptic Ulcer had soared, hence the need for the government to help in that regard.
“The government can do this through increased enrollment into the NHIS scheme among other aids,” she said.
The Gastroenterologist says that the commonest risk factor for peptic ulcer disease is ‘Helicobacter pylori’ (a bacterium that stays in stomach to cause harm to the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
She adds that the bug is commonly seen in contaminated water.
“So if we can ensure that what we eat and drink is clean, we can at least have a chance of reducing the likelihood of coming down with the bad effects associated with this bacterium.
“Alcohol intake, tobacco use and indiscriminate use of pain killers that we call Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are other risk factors that must be taken care of.
“Nigerians should be mindful of what they eat and drink and maintain healthy lifestyle.
“Those with symptoms such as abdominal pain, occasional vomiting and vomiting of blood(if severe) should come to the hospital for proper care.
“Anyone above the age of 40 years with the symptoms must come to the hospital for review,” Osundina stressed.
On the view about fasting causing ulcer, the gastroenterologist emphasises that it’s a myth.
“Though fasting may worsen the symptoms of certain ulcer, it is not enough to cause ulcers.
“It is also a myth that vitamin C causes ulcer, vitamin C helps with wound healing and research have not demonstrated any link of its use causing ulcer,” Osundina said. (NAN)
