Rocker Bruce Springsteen revealed that he had to cancel eight of his tour dates this month due to health issues. The tour’s organizers stated that the Grammy-winning artist was receiving treatment for “peptic ulcer disease symptoms.”
The Mayo Clinic identifies peptic ulcers as open sores that occur on the stomach’s inner lining (gastric ulcers) and the small intestine’s upper portion (duodenal ulcers). Heartburn and stomach pain are the most common signs.
Peptic ulcers are not caused by stress or spicy foods, contrary to popular belief, according to experts. Long-term use of NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium and an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are the most common causes. However, the condition can be made worse by experiencing stressful situations and eating spicy foods.
Other serious yet uncommon side effects include:
• Vomiting blood or other liquids.
• Stools with black and tarry stools or blood in them
• Having nausea or fainting.
• Appetite changes or weight loss that is not explained.
In most cases, an acid-resistant mucous layer covers your digestive tract. However, the acid can eat away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine, resulting in a painful open sore, if the amount of acid increases or the mucous layer decreases. According to the Mayo Clinic, peptic ulcers can lead to internal bleeding, stomach wall perforation, digestive tract obstruction, and gastric cancer if left untreated.
One in ten people will develop an ulcer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A family history of ulcers, illnesses like liver, kidney, or lung disease, regular alcohol consumption, and smoking are all risk factors.
Peptic ulcers are diagnosed by a healthcare professional through a physical exam and laboratory tests. The treatment depends on the ulcer’s origin. A course of antibiotics for approximately two weeks may be prescribed if H. pylori is the cause. To aid in the healing of the ulcer, a medication that reduces stomach acid may also be suggested.
PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors, work by stopping the parts of the cell that make acid from working. This makes stomach acid less acidic. Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium are examples of PPIs. Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac are examples of H2 blockers, or histamine receptor blockers, which aid in the reduction of stomach acid.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, treatment that targets the underlying cause, typically an H. pylori bacterial infection or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is effective for most people in treating peptic ulcer disease. Nonetheless, ulcers can repeat if H. pylori isn’t completely cleared from the body or on the other hand assuming that smoking or NSAID use proceeds.
Fans and well-wishers anticipate “The Boss” returning soon, but Today reports that he will be off in October and will perform on November 3 in Vancouver, British Columbia. On September 23, Springsteen will be 74 years old.