5 ms·

I would just like to point out that in the space of two decades we've whipsawed between "ulcers aren't caused by stress, they're caused by bacteria" to "no actu

I would just like to point out that in the space of two decades we've whipsawed between "ulcers aren't caused by stress, they're caused by bacteria" to "no actually ulcers might really be mainly caused by stress." Many such cases. I once wondered whether my decision to not pursue a PhD in physics was a mistake, but I increasingly believe we live in a Dark Ages. It is impossible to take the vapid Science as an institution seriously, especially when it embraces this myth of science being constantly correct. (And yes, I understand there's a difference between scientific press and actual scientists. And no, you're wrong if you think their self-esteem or general sheltered Mickey Mouse worldview around their importance is any different than the public press.)

spondylosaurus 3y ago
Could the ulcer question just vary based on the type of ulcer? I know that h. pylori is a big culprit in people who have ulcers but are otherwise healthy, but IBD causes ulcers too (putting the "ulcerative" in "ulcerative colitis")—and since stress is a driver of IBD flares, those are certainly ulcers by way of stress. But they occur in different portions of the gut, usually.
- throwaway4220 3y ago
  Yes ulcers are just erosions of the inner layers of stuff. You can have ulcers in your arteries too.
- joker_minmax 3y ago
  Absolutely does, there are multiple causes of ulcers. Canker sores in your mouth are caused by either stress or vitamin deficiency and they're still "ulcers". And what H. Pylori does is a huge cause of gastric cancer, so pathogens damaging the body is a factor. I agree with the top comment of this tree that we can't see science as set in stone, but many things have multiple causes that work separately or synergistically
throwaway4220 3y ago
Ulcers are not all the same just like cancer is not all the same. H pylori still causes gastric ulcers. Also the “medical-science” institution you are imagining with a collective self-esteem doesn’t exist in any cohesive way. You memorize, read, diagnose and treat. And please don’t lump us in with phDs
kortex 3y ago
> "ulcers aren't caused by stress, they're caused by bacteria" to "no actually ulcers might really be mainly caused by stress." Por que no los dos? H. pylori needs to artificially buffer its micro-environment in order to survive. Anything which disrupts the production of stomach acid or digestive proteins could give it an edge. Anecdata of 1, but I had a bout of bad chronic heartburn after eating at some sketchy food joint. I was popping omeprazole like crazy. Somehow in researching this, the topic of hydrogen forming bacteria came up. I somehow hypothesized that PPIs were actually exacerbating the problem, because the higher pH was allowing the bacteria to survive. I put myself on a high prebiotic/probiotic diet, stopped the PPIs and antacids, and it resolved completely by a few weeks later. I could easily see a similar thing happening with heliobacter.

spondylosaurus 3y ago

Could the ulcer question just vary based on the type of ulcer? I know that h. pylori is a big culprit in people who have ulcers but are otherwise healthy, but IBD causes ulcers too (putting the "ulcerative" in "ulcerative colitis")—and since stress is a driver of IBD flares, those are certainly ulcers by way of stress. But they occur in different portions of the gut, usually.

throwaway4220 3y ago
Yes ulcers are just erosions of the inner layers of stuff. You can have ulcers in your arteries too.
joker_minmax 3y ago
Absolutely does, there are multiple causes of ulcers. Canker sores in your mouth are caused by either stress or vitamin deficiency and they're still "ulcers". And what H. Pylori does is a huge cause of gastric cancer, so pathogens damaging the body is a factor. I agree with the top comment of this tree that we can't see science as set in stone, but many things have multiple causes that work separately or synergistically

throwaway4220 3y ago

Ulcers are not all the same just like cancer is not all the same. H pylori still causes gastric ulcers. Also the “medical-science” institution you are imagining with a collective self-esteem doesn’t exist in any cohesive way. You memorize, read, diagnose and treat. And please don’t lump us in with phDs

kortex 3y ago

> "ulcers aren't caused by stress, they're caused by bacteria" to "no actually ulcers might really be mainly caused by stress." Por que no los dos? H. pylori needs to artificially buffer its micro-environment in order to survive. Anything which disrupts the production of stomach acid or digestive proteins could give it an edge. Anecdata of 1, but I had a bout of bad chronic heartburn after eating at some sketchy food joint. I was popping omeprazole like crazy. Somehow in researching this, the topic of hydrogen forming bacteria came up. I somehow hypothesized that PPIs were actually exacerbating the problem, because the higher pH was allowing the bacteria to survive. I put myself on a high prebiotic/probiotic diet, stopped the PPIs and antacids, and it resolved completely by a few weeks later. I could easily see a similar thing happening with heliobacter.