Prognosis
The prognosis for recovery from ulcers is good
for most patients. Very few ulcers fail to respond to
current treatments, particularly since discovery of
H. pylori. If the bacterium is eliminated, an individual
most likely will not have ulcer recurrence. Most
patients who develop complications such as perfora-
tion will recover without problems, even if emergency
surgery is necessary.Prevention
Until more is learned about the transmission of
H. pylori, it is unlikely that individuals can totally
prevent infection with the bacterium. Careful hand
washing after using the restroom and before eating
may help prevent infection. Other prevention techni-
ques are to eat only properly prepared food and to
drink water from clean, safe sources. Restricting use of
NSAIDs or discussing appropriate use of these medi-
cines with a physician may help lessen risk of ulcers.
Smoking and drinking alcohol damage the lining of
the digestive tract, so eliminating these behaviors also
will help prevent peptic ulcers. Cigarette smoking also
increases risk of ulcer bleeding and stomach perfora-
tion and can cause some medications to fail. Avoiding
certain foods such as coffee and various spices may
help ease ulcer symptoms. But will not prevent ulcers.Resources
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Gastroenterology. P.O. Box 342260,
Bethesda, MD 20827. (301) 263-9000.<http://
http://www.acg.gi.org>
American Gastroenterological Association. 4930 Del Ray
Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 654-2055.<http://
http://www.gastro.org>
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
2 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892. (800) 891-
5389.<http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov>Teresa G. OdleUSDA food guide pyramid
(MyPyramid)
Definition
The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) food pyramid, called MyPyramid to distin-
guish it from earlier versions, contains recommenda-tions on diet and exercise based on the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans 2005.Purpose
MyPyramid is intended to help Americans
become more aware of what they eat and what their
nutrient requirements are. It is designed to help people
learn how to eat a healthy diet, live an active lifestyle,
and maintain or gradually move in the direction of a
healthy weight that will reduce the risk of weight-
related diseases. Unlike earlier diet and nutrition guid-
ance, MyPyramid can personalize dietary recommen-
dations based on the individual’s height, weight, age,
gender, activity level and weight goals.Description
MyPyramid, released in 2005, is the most recent in
a series of publications designed to provide Americans
with broad dietary recommendations that will pro-
mote health. More than one hundred years ago in
1894, the USDA published its first set of national
nutrition guidelines. The first food guide followed
this in 1916. In this first food guide, the author, a
nutritionist, introduced the idea of food groups. The
five food groups defined in the food guide were milk
and meat, cereals, fruits and vegetables,fatsand fatty
foods, and sugars and sugary foods. The guide made
recommendations about eating food from each food
group to remain healthy.
In 1941, the Food and Nutrition Board of the
National Academy of Sciences published the first Rec-
ommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The RDAs
were based on the amount of each vitamin or mineral
that was needed to prevent symptoms of the corre-
sponding nutrient-deficiency disease. Two years
later, the United States was in World War II. During
this time certain foods (e.g. butter, sugar) were
rationed and others were scarce. In order to help peo-
ple eat a healthy diet during rationing, the USDA
published new nutritional guidelines. Not long after
World War II ended, the guidelines were again modi-
fied. The post-World War II guidelines introduced the
basic four food groups: milk, meats, fruits and vege-
tables, and grains. These four food groups served as
the foundation for nutrition education until the 1970s.
During the 1970s, the USDA added a fifth dietary
category, foods that should be used in moderation.
This new restricted foods category included fats,
sweets, and alcoholic beverages.
The first pyramid graphic designed to explain the
concepts behind the basic food groups appeared in- It was intended show graphically that people
USDA food guide pyramid (MyPyramid)