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Prevention and awareness are key essentials in maintaining our physical bodies. Many resources may be found here including: statistics, demographics, and basic health regulations to assist you in a lifelong journey of whole health focusing on the first component of wholeness, the body. The health and faith resources found on this site combined can bring balance between our body, soul (mind, will and emotions) and spirit. Learn more about the continuum of care in whole health while increasing your faith, utilizing wisdom, and bringing wholeness to your overall being, body, soul and spirit.
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Wondering how you can be more health conscious and are unsure where to start? You can check the National Health Observances calendar and see how you and your congregation celebrate health and honor those you love by making them aware of resources and agencies that provide support and materials to help you succeed!
Focus on health observances throughout the year.
Timely Topics:
Here's how to fight the "flu"...
Use this guide to discover the most common causes of the most common symptoms for your illnesses...
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Peptic Ulcer Disease
Description: Peptic ulcer disease means ulceration in the stomach or the first segment of the small intestine leading from the stomach (duodenum). These areas are exposed to enzymes and acid manufactured by stomach. The acid produced is involved in the development of ulcers. Other factors also lead to ulceration by reducing the lining of the stomach and the duodenum’s defense and repair mechanisms, allowing the acid to erode the lining and cause ulcerations. The main causes of peptic ulcer disease are an infection by a bacterium (H. Pylori) or frequent use of medications taken for pain or arthritis (Ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory medication).
Incidence: Males about equal to females
Prevalence: More often in adults
Signs and symptoms:
- Burning type of stomach pain (worse a couple of hours after meals)
- Belching
- Bloating
- In more severe cases:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Severe pain
- Weight loss
- Black stools or vomited blood
Risk factors:
- Family history
- Cigarette smoking
- Certain drugs (NSAIDS-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthritis and pain, such as Ibuprofen)
- Stress
- Lower socioeconomic status
Usual treatment:
- Medication (highly effective in restoring the defenses in the lining in the stomach
- Lifestyle changes (manage stress, stop smoking, proper diet, avoid alcohol)
Usual course: Usually good prognosis with proper with proper treatment. Excellent results have been seen with the use of the new anti-ulcer medications. Healing of the ulcer most often occurs within two weeks. If ulcers erode a blood vessel, massive, life-threatening hemorrhage can occur, and emergency medical care is necessary. If the bacterium H. Pylori is left untreated, ulcerations will continue to occur until it is eradicated by the use of antibiotics. Continuous use of Ibuprofen type drugs can also lead to recurrent ulcerations.
Spiritual considerations:
- Provide emotional a spiritual support.
- May need diagnostic tests (such as endoscopy). Visits or physical presence at this time would be comforting to the person and family.
Suggested scriptures: Lamentations 3:22-26
Resources:
www.cdc.gov/ulcer
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Faith, hope, and love coupled with wisdom assists the believer in achieving health harmony in the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and spirit. Strengthen your inner man's soul and spirit by the associated articles, resources, and inspiration in our faith section. May the Lord prosper you with whole health. Learn more about the continuum of care in whole health while increasing your faith, utilizing wisdom, and bringing wholeness to your overall being, body, soul and spirit.
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We welcome collaboration with any professional health care agencies, as well as, church leaders. Also, if you are interested in linking, contributing or assisting Congregational Health ReSource with content, please contact us.
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