Final answer:
Patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are advised to avoid NSAIDs and focus on medications prescribed for H. pylori infection and acid management. While stress and smoking may contribute, diet is not a primary cause. Treatment effectiveness is challenged by antibiotic resistance, and in extreme cases, surgery may be needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with peptic ulcer disease should avoid chronic usage of NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Peptic ulcers, often caused by Helicobacter pylori, are sores in the stomach or duodenal lining. NSAIDs, tobacco smoking, and stress are additional contributing factors, although diet is not a major factor, contrary to previous beliefs. The cornerstone of treatment involves eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics and managing acid levels with medications.
The discovery of H. pylori as a culprit was groundbreaking and merited a Nobel Prize. While symptoms can include upper abdominal pain, not all individuals with ulcers experience noticeable symptoms and thus diagnosis can require endoscopy. It is essential to follow treatment closely, as H. pylori has developed antibiotic resistance in some instances. Diverticulitis, while a different GI condition, also involves treatment with antibiotics, but unlike PUD, can sometimes require surgery.