All you need to know about Peptic Ulcer Disease.
What is Peptic Ulcer?
Peptic Ulcer is a medical condition in which open sores develop in the stomach, small intestine, or lower esophageal lining.
What are the types of peptic ulcers?
Peptic ulcers are categorized into two types:
Gastric Ulcers are located within the stomach and are painful.
Duodenal Ulcers are most often seen in the upper portion of the small intestine known as the duodenum.
Causes
Peptic ulcers may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
The bacterium H.pylori is the most prevalent cause.
Use of certain medicines, such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, over an extended period of time
This disease is also caused by smoking and alcohol use.
Peptic ulcers may be aggravated by stress and spicy foods.
Symptoms
The following are some of the most typically seen symptoms of Peptic Ulcers:
Burning pain in the stomach
Nausea
Loss of weight
Appetite loss
Indigestion
Diagnosis
Doctors frequently do one or more of the following diagnostic tests to rule out peptic ulcers:
Blood, stool, or breath tests are used in laboratories to detect the presence of the bacterium H.pylori.
Endoscopy is a process in which a hollow tube with a lens at the end is inserted down the neck into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to examine for ulcers. If the existence of ulcers is established, a small tissue sample is taken and tested in a laboratory.
Upper GI series, commonly known as barium swallow, is a procedure in which a white liquid containing barium is given to the patient to swallow, coating the digestive system and making ulcers visible. The upper digestive tract is then X-rayed to get images of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
Treatment
Some of the therapy options for peptic ulcers include:
Antibiotics: If H.pylori is present, the patient is given antibiotic combinations such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and others to destroy the bacteria in the digestive system. Other drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors, may be recommended in addition to these antibiotics to lower stomach acid.
Acid blocker medications, such as ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and others, may be recommended to reduce ulcer discomfort by lowering the amount of stomach acid released into the digestive system, aiding in the healing process.
Certain drugs, such as sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec), are used to preserve the digestive system lining. Antacids are also prescribed to neutralize stomach acid and reduce discomfort.
Complications
Follow-up endoscopy is sometimes conducted to check that the peptic ulcers are healed. Refractory ulcers occur when an ulcer persists after treatment. Various drugs are used to treat this type of cancer.
If an ulcer is not treated, it may cause major health problems such as perforation (a hole in the lining of the digestive system), internal bleeding, and scarring of tissue, which makes food passage difficult. In these circumstances, immediate medical attention is required, which may include surgery.
Risk Factors
Smoking increases the risk of ulcers if the person is affected by H.pylori
Alcohol intake increases the production of stomach acids by eroding the mucous lining.
Eating a lot of spicy food may raise your chances of getting an ulcer.
Stress may also have a role in the development of peptic ulcers.
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