General Nursing©

ULCERS

• Alcohol particularly hard spirits can be culprit. Discouraged ingestion of alcohol, cola, tobacco, caffeine, and foods that cause discomfort. The person may drink decaffeinated beverages. During acute phase, the person often requires a bland, non-irritating, and low fiber diet. Significant others need to learn about modifications in the persons diet. Have the dietician review the home diet with whosoever will be cooking for the individual.
• Drugs or medications are frequent irritants such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, piroxicam, naproxen, or aspirin are often responsible.

Teach people to examine the labels of all nonprescription medications particularly cold remedies, for aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), other salicylates, phenylbutazone, adrenocorticosteroids, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

These medications are hazardous to people with ulcers, particularly when combined. If any of these medications must be taken, advise people to eat between meals and use antacids. Much of the time, the medications that result in ulcers are later found to have been medically unnecessary.

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