GASTROENTEROLOGY-II - ACID RESEARCH AND U LCER THERAPY

Three discoveries of the last thirty years have revolutionized acid re search and ulcer therapy: H-2-receptors and their competitive inhibiti on, the acid pump and its blockade and, finally, Helicobacter pylori a nd its central role in ulcer disease. Today the problem of ulcer treat ment is more or less solved by the correct use of antibiotics, while t he cure of reflux disease is still problematic: pump blockers accelera te the healing of mucosal breaks and prevent, when given at long term, recurrences but they cannot change the natural history of reflux dise ase. These facts form the basis for future research.