Ulcer News and Research

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Twenty-five million Americans suffer from ulcers. An ulcer is a sore or hole in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). People of any age can get an ulcer and women are affected just as often as men.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that lives on the lining of the stomach. Although we used to think that spicy food, acid, and stress were the major causes of ulcers, we now know that nine out of ten ulcers are caused by H. pylori. Medicines that reduce stomach acid may make you feel better, but your ulcer may come back. Here's the good news: Since most ulcers are caused by this bacterial infection, they can be cured with the right antibiotics.

Study reveals new therapeutic approach for superbug infections

A research team led by Professor Hongzhe SUN, Chair Professor from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, in collaboration with Dr Pak-Leung HO, Director of the HKU Carol Yu Centre for Infection from the Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine.

5 Nov 2020

Illustrations by Nigerian artist kickstart debate on neglected tropical disease

Illustrations by a local artist in Nigeria are helping health workers and policy makers understand what it's really like to live with a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

5 Nov 2020

Research finds increase in risky sexual behavior and STIs despite COVID-19 pandemic

New research launched at the 29th EADV Congress, EADV Virtual, has found that despite the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) lockdown restrictions, diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhoea, secondary syphilis and mycoplasma genitalium (MG), have increased.

2 Nov 2020

Aspirin use associated with reduced mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were taking a daily low-dose aspirin to protect against cardiovascular disease had a significantly lower risk of complications and death compared to those who were not taking aspirin, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

22 Oct 2020

Scientists discover a novel antiviral strategy for treating COVID-19

A research team led by Professor Hongzhe SUN, Norman & Cecilia Yip Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and Professor Kwok Yung YUEN, Henry Fok Professor in Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has discovered a novel antiviral strategy for treatment of COVID-19.

16 Oct 2020

Pharmacist-led digital intervention associated with reduced rates of hazardous prescribing

A pharmacist-led, new digital intervention that improves patient safety when prescribing medication in general practice reduced rates of hazardous prescribing by more than 40 per cent, 12 months after it had been introduced to 43 GP practices in Salford, finds a new study.

14 Oct 2020

Polyphenolic compound offers new therapeutic option for chronic inflammatory disorders

Various plants and their products are known to contain "bioactive" ingredients that can alleviate human diseases. These "phytocompounds" often contain restorative biological properties such as anti-cancerous, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

24 Sep 2020

Early treatment for venous leg ulcers delivers clinical benefits and cost savings

Venous leg ulcers are common and distressing, affecting around 1 in 300 adults in the UK. They are open, often painful, sores on the leg that take months to heal and can develop after a minor injury.

23 Sep 2020

New wearable solution allows patients to receive treatment without leaving home

The rapid increase of life-threatening antibiotic-resistant infections has resulted in challenging wound complications with limited choices of effective treatments. About 6 million people in the United States are affected by chronic wounds.

3 Sep 2020

Daily cranberry intake could reduce H. pylori infections

A new clinical trial found consuming cranberry juice containing 44 mg of proanthocyanidins (or "PACs") per 240-mL serving twice daily for eight weeks resulted in a 20% reduction in the H. pylori infection rate in Chinese adult participants, when compared to those consuming lower amounts of juice and a placebo.

18 Aug 2020

Indiana University School of Medicine leads the first study of Diabetic Foot Consortium

Indiana University School of Medicine is leading the first study of the national Diabetic Foot Consortium sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

25 Jul 2020

First-ever multicenter network to study diabetic foot ulcers

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, six U.S. research institutions are launching the first-ever multicenter network to study diabetic foot ulcers, a common and burdensome complication of diabetes and the leading cause of lower limb amputations in the United States.

25 Jul 2020

Aspirin reduces hereditary colorectal cancer risk

Aspirin reduces colorectal cancer risk by half in individuals at high genetic risk. Preventive efficacy is prolonged for 10-20 years after treatment with aspirin.

11 Jun 2020

New cooling insole helps reduce risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers

A new cooling insole developed by UT Southwestern scientists reduced the foot temperature of patients with diabetic neuropathy by several degrees, diminishing a significant risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers.

21 May 2020

Neuroscientists trace brain-to-gut pathways

Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute have traced neural pathways that connect the brain to the stomach, providing a biological mechanism to explain how stress can foster ulcer development.

18 May 2020

Treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with anticoagulants may improve their survival chances

Treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with anticoagulants-;blood thinners that slow down clotting-;may improve their chances of survival, researchers from the Mount Sinai COVID Informatics Center report.

7 May 2020

Severe blood clotting and high bleeding risk identified in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Emerging data is pointing to a faulty blood clotting system in the most critically ill COVID-19 patients. Patients with underlying health problems are presenting a severe risk of VTE (blood clotting) – previously an unknown risk factor – as well as an increased bleed risk.

7 May 2020

New Pressure Injury Prevention Scanner from BBI

BBI (Europe) Ltd, the pioneer in biometric-sensor based medical devices, launches its ProvizioTM SEM Scanner: the first hand-held, wireless PI/PU risk assessment device with data transfer capabilities.

3 Mar 2020

Scientists develop "smart" remote-control bandage for chronic wounds

People with diabetes suffer from chronic and non-healing wounds, often leading to severe infection and, eventually, amputation of the limb. The essential treatment for these wounds is the continuous application of medicines and the regular changing of bandages to prevent infection.

16 Feb 2020

Study finds impact of frailty on long‐term outcomes after emergency surgery

Frailty is the medical term for becoming weaker or experiencing lower levels of activity/energy. Becoming frail as we age increases our risk for poor health, falls, disability, and other serious concerns. This can be especially true for older people facing surgery, up to half of whom are classified as frail.

11 Feb 2020