Is PUD one of the most poorly understood ailments?

The world has really advanced technologically, no doubt. However, it seems the more we are able to know and discover through technology, the more we discover that there are so many things we are yet to understand. The more we unpack, the more unpacking we need to do.

I still remember those days when a woman who underwent Caesarian sectioning would need to wait for days or even weeks before they are discharged from the hospital, often with repeated medical visitation to the hospital after that. Nowadays, even women go home the following day after having Caesarian sectioning. Quite amazing, right?

PUD (not power up day), Peptic Ulcer Disease, is an ailment that is quite common all over the world. Like every human disease, this ailment has been widely researched and is still being researched. Ask the most brilliant surgeon in the world what causes PUD and the response will leave you confused, especially if you don't know anything about medicine. In short, as advanced as technology and human medicine are, we still don't know the exact cause of PUD.

Some will tell you it is caused by Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), some will say it is caused by a bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori, while some will even tell you it is because you don't eat as at when due. In short, there are over 5 conditions that have been linked with PUD. Of course, all the reasons being peddled have their plausible argument. The fact remains that the exact cause of the disease remains poorly understood.

Now, let's come to the treatment, or let me say management of the disease. As an ulcer patient, I've learned more than enough to say that PUD does not have an outright cure. In fact, I've been left confused several times if the prescribed drug has granted me relief from the pain I feel or has worsened it. I have changed to different brands of Omeprazole, took rabeprazole, etc., just name any -zole drug for PUD without any significant improvement in my symptoms. Relief came when I started experimenting with myself.

Yes, I made myself an experimental animal. Whenever I take a food and my symptoms worsen, I do away with the food. Whenever I take a food and my symptoms get alleviated, I mark the food as one of the foods I could be eating. I did this after spending more than a year visiting hospitals and taking different drugs. Medically, you will be told to stay away from some foods as a PUD patient. Some of the foods I was told I could eat worsened my symptoms while some of the foods I've been told to stay away from ameliorated my symptoms.

In the past 3 months or so, my symptoms have improved significantly. I no longer have sleepless nights due to pain. This, I achieved, by experimenting with myself and arriving at what works and what doesn't. Nowadays, when people recommend drugs or hawk stuff on social media as the next best thing for PUD, I just laugh. Perhaps this is just me, but I think PUD is one of the most poorly understood ailments in the world.

For those who might be wondering, below are some of the foods I stay away from:

• Oil foods
• Sugary foods
• Milk
• Carbonated drinks
• Citric juices
• Bread
• Excessive sauce
• Pepper
• Fried foods
• Hard meats
• Chocolate
• Tea

So, what do I eat?

• Rice
• Beans
• Yam
• Swallows (eba, amala, semo, etc)
• Gaari
• Offals
• Fruits, except pineapple and orange.

What do you think? Do you have experience with PUD? Please share what you think below.