[Conservative therapy of peptic ulcer]

Ulcer disease is the product of different pathogenetic mechanisms which destroy the balance between protection and aggregation in the human organism. Investigation of such errors of physiologic balance in the human organism is in full swing, and has provided the theoretical elements for appropriate therapy. Therapy for ulcer disease must take into consideration the patient's personality as well as the surrounding conditions. Though duodenal and gastric ulcer show many different characteristics, therapy does not greatly differ. Food and antacids neutralize hydrochloric acid already produced and bind bile acids and other substances which have been regurgitated from the duodenum into the stomach. Furthermore, very potent inhibitors of acid secretion are available, such as the H2-receptor-antagonist cimetidine, and pirenzepine. Antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion and placebo may lead to disappearance of symptoms, but it should be borne in mind that abut one third of patients with an ulcer recurrence remain asymptomatic. Pain and other symptoms of active ulcer disease usually disappear as early as a few days after initiating therapy. On average the healing ratio of ulcers is higher with pharmacologically active substances than with placebo. In the present state of knowledge, endoscopic follow-up of ulcer disease is to be recommended not only because active ulcer disease and ulcer recurrences may be asymptomatic, but, above all, because of the risk of malignancy in gastric ulcer.