What is Peptic Ulcer ?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Peptic Ulcer?
Open sores or ulcers that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine are known as peptic ulcers.
Usually, a thick mucus layer protects the lining of the stomach from the effect of the digestive juices of the stomach. However, many things can reduce this protective layer and cause damage to the tissue by stomach acid. Peptic ulcers are usually formed due to the inflammation caused by H. pylori bacteria, and due to erosion from the stomach acids. A peptic ulcer is a commonly seen problem.
In this article, we will be discussing peptic ulcers in detail –
- What is Peptic Ulcer?
- What are the different types of Peptic Ulcers?
- What are the causes of Peptic Ulcer?
- What are the risk factors of Peptic Ulcer?
- What are the symptoms of Peptic Ulcer?
- How to diagnose Peptic Ulcer?
- What are the treatments for Peptic Ulcer?
- What are the complications of Peptic Ulcer?
- How to prevent Peptic Ulcer?
What is Peptic Ulcer?
- A condition in which open sores or blisters develop in the inner lining of the stomach is known as a peptic ulcer.
- These blisters then develop into deep wounds, causing more problems for the patients.
- Peptic ulcer develops when the stomach produces more acid due to poor eating habits. This disease may also develop due to a bacterial infection.
(Know more about- What is Esophageal Cancer Treatment? )
What are the different types of Peptic Ulcers?
The different types of peptic ulcers include:
- Gastric Ulcer: This type of ulcer develops inside the stomach.
- Esophageal Ulcer: This type of ulcer develops inside the food pipe or esophagus.
- Duodenal Ulcer: This type of ulcer develops in the upper part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum.
( Know more about- What is Crohn’s Disease? )
What are the causes of Peptic Ulcers?
The different causes of peptic ulcers are:
- Helicobacter pylori or H.pylori, which is a type of bacteria that could lead to stomach infection and inflammation
- Increased use of ibuprofen, aspirin, and other types of anti-inflammatory drugs
- Stress
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Radiation therapy (a type of treatment for cancer)
- Stomach cancer
- Consumption of other medications, like steroids
- Having a surgery
- Serious illness
( Know more about- What is Stomach Cancer Treatment? )
What are the risk factors of Peptic Ulcers?
Certain factors increase the risk of developing a peptic ulcer and may include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Consumption of spicy foods
- Untreated stress
- More common in females
- Age above 70 years
- Consumption of high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory diseases (NSAIDs), or using NSAIDs for a long time
- History of peptic ulcer
( Know more about- What is Acid Reflux? )
What are the symptoms of Peptic Ulcer?
The symptoms of peptic ulcer include:
- Burning pain in the stomach
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Intolerance to fatty foodstuff
- Bloating or feeling of fullness
- Vomiting
- Vomiting of blood
- Black, or tarry stools
- Blood in stools
- Feeling dizzy
- Difficulty in breathing
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Changes in appetite
( Know more about- What is Blood in Stool? )
One of the main causes of blood in stools in the problem of Piles, for which the treatment advised is Piles Surgery. There are many doctors and hospitals in India where Piles surgery is done with great success.
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How to diagnose Peptic Ulcer?
- Physical examination: The doctor examines the patient physically. The medical history and family history of the patient are noted.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests like x-rays and CT scans are used for detecting ulcers. The patient is asked to drink a specific liquid, which coats the digestive tract and the ulcers become more apparent.
- Upper endoscopy: The doctor may insert a small, lighted tube with a small camera, known as an endoscope, through the throat, and into the stomach to look for any abnormalities.
- H.Pylori tests: Tests are recommended to check for H.pylori. A breath test is the easiest method to check for the presence of H.pylori. It can also be detected by obtaining a sample during an upper endoscopy, or by a stool or blood test.
( Know more about- What is Endoscopy? )
What are the treatments for Peptic ulcers?
The treatment for peptic ulcers depends on the cause of the condition.
- In case of a bleeding ulcer, the treatment may be done during an endoscopy procedure, by injecting medications into it.
- A clamp or a cauterization (burning the tissue) is used by the doctor to seal off the bleeding ulcer and stop the bleeding.
Most cases of peptic ulcers can be treated using different medications including:
- Proton pump inhibitors are used to reduce the acid, allowing the ulcer to heal.
- Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria and treat H.pylori.
- Histamine receptor blockers or H2 blockers reduce the production of acid.
- Protective medications like a liquid bandage, cover the ulcer in a protective layer and prevent further damage from enzymes and digestive acids.
( Know more about – What is Ulcerative Colitis? )
What are the complications of Peptic Ulcers?
The complications of peptic ulcer are:
- Perforation in the stomach lining or small intestine
- Internal bleeding
- Scar tissue formation
Contact the doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms:
- Sharp, sudden stomach pain
- Blood in vomit
- Blood in stool
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Excessive sweating
- A stomach that becomes hard to touch
- Stomach pain that worsens on movement, and improves on lying completely still
( Know more about- What is Abdominal Lump? )
How to Prevent Peptic Ulcers?
A peptic ulcer can be prevented by:
- Quit smoking
- Consume alcohol in moderation
- Prevent bacterial infection by washing your hands with soap and water frequently
- Avoid eating raw food
- Avoid spicy food
- Talk to your doctor about alternatives to NSAIDs for relieving pain
- Take the lowest effective dose of NSAID
- Discuss the different protective measures with the doctor, if you are taking NSAIDs
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Consume less caffeine
- Eat a well-balanced diet, rich in fiber
( Know more about- What is Paracetamol? )
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding peptic ulcers through this article.
If you need more information about peptic ulcers, you can contact a Gastroenterologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medication or treatment to anyone. Only a qualified doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
