Peptic Ulcer Disease
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about peptic ulcers.
What is a Peptic Ulcer?
It refers to open sores on the inner lining of the stomach, the upper part of the small intestine, and the lower esophagus.
- Peptic ulcers are classified based on their location, with common types being:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Duodenal ulcer, located at the beginning of the small intestine and is the most common type.
Esophageal ulcer: occurs in the lower part of the esophagus, causing sores and bumps.
What are the Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer?
- Some people may not notice any symptoms. However, a burning sensation in the stomach is the most common symptom, and in other cases, symptoms may include:
- Stomach ulcer:
- Pain and burning sensation in the stomach.
- Feeling hungry.
- Indigestion..
- Nausea or vomiting..
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Duodenal ulcer:
- Pain after waking up, often in mid-morning.
- Pain that may wake the person from sleep at night.
- Pain may disappear after eating but returns two or three hours after eating.
- Esophageal ulcer:
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
- Heartburn.
- Chest pain..
- Weight loss.
- Difficulty swallowing.
Nausea.
What are the Causes of Peptic Ulcer?
- There are severalcauses of stomachulcers, such as:
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
Excessive use of certain medications like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
- Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing peptic ulcers include:
- Family history.
- Having another medical condition like liver diseases, kidney diseases, and lung diseases.
- Smoking.
Alcohol consumption.
How is Peptic Ulcer Diagnosed?:
- The doctor takes a medical history, performs a clinical examination, and may request additional procedures as needed, such as:.
- Blood orstool tests..
- Endoscopic examination of the stomach.
How is Peptic Ulcer Treated?
- Treatment is carried out throughvarious procedures or asneeded, and may include:
- If infected with H. pylori, doctors prescribe medications to eradicate the bacteria.
Medications that reduce acid secretion in the digestive system are prescribed to facilitate ulcer healing.
How to Prevent Peptic Ulcer?
- Several methods help in prevention, such as:
- Remember! Maintaining good hygiene standards helps prevent the spread of infection; make sure to wash your hands regularly with water and soap.
- Ensure your food is thoroughly cooked.
- Avoid excessive use of painkillers, and only use them when necessary.
- Take medication with mealsor between meals..
Quit smoking and refrain from consuming alcohol. For more details, here is a guide to quitting smoking.
What are the Complications of Peptic Ulcer?
- Complications may occur if an ulcer isneglected and not treated, such as:
- Internal bleeding, which leads to anemia.
- Perforations in thestomach wall orsmall intestine.
- Blockage in the digestivesystem, which causes theperson to feel fullH.Pyloriquickly and vomit frequently,leading to weight loss.
H. pylori infection increases the risk of developing stomach cancer.
When Should You See a Doctor?
- Visit a doctor if you experience symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Presence of blood in vomiting.
- Presence of blood in the stool or a change of stool color to black.
Continuous severe pain in the stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking milk help relieve ulcer pain?
Milk may temporarily relieve pain because it coats the stomach lining; however, it also causes an increase in acid and digestive juices secretion, which makes ulcer pain worse.
Do coffee and spicyfoods cause ulcers?
