A Peptic Ulcer or Stomach Ulcer is a sore that is developed on the lining of the stomach or on the upper part of the small intestine called the duodenum. It is also found rarely in the lower esophagus or beyond the duodenum in the small intestine.
Table Of Contents
- Types of Peptic Ulcer
- What are the causes of Peptic Ulcers?
- What are the symptoms of Peptic Ulcer?
- How are Peptic Ulcers diagnosed and treated?
Types of Peptic Ulcer
Peptic Ulcers are classified into two types based on where the ulcer or the sore are developed.
- Duodenal ulcer – This type of ulcer occurs in the upper part of the duodenum and is more common in men.
- Gastric ulcer – This type of ulcer occurs inside the stomach and affects men and women more or less equally.
What are the causes of Peptic Ulcers?
Ulcers are formed when the gastric acid damages the mucous layer of walls of the stomach or the small intestine. It can also occur when the mucous layer gets thin or too much acid is formed in the stomach.
Bacteria – The most common cause of peptic ulcers are stomach and duodenum infections with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori bacterium (H. pylori). Post-infection can cause inflammation of the stomach’s inner layer, producing an ulcer. Since these bacteria live closer to the surface lining of the stomach underneath the layer of mucus, it is protected from acid.
NSAIDs – Use of certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a long time. The list of NSAIDs includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Smoking and Alcohol – They are two etiologic factors that have a close relationship with peptic ulcer diseases as they irritate the stomach lining and make the ulcers worse
What are the symptoms of Peptic Ulcer?
The common signs and symptoms are:
- Loss of weight
- Feeling fatigued
- Bloating
- Burping or acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Feeling full with a brief intake of food
- Nausea or vomiting that is dark or bloody
- Sense of burning and pain in the upper abdomen
- Tarry or bloody stools
How are Peptic Ulcers diagnosed and treated?
Doctors diagnose the Peptic Ulcer by discussing the past medical problems and symptoms, understanding if any NSAIDs are used, testing for H. pylori, and physically examining to listen to the belly. In the next step, they use a series of X-
rays that shows the interior of the stomach. Endoscopy (EDG) is also done where a thin, lighted tube with a small camera is inserted through the mouth into the stomach, the first part of the small intestine. This is to look for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that looks abnormal. If any abnormal tissues are found, a small piece of the tissue is removed and is analyzed in the lab under a microscope for signs of an ulcer. This is called the Biopsy.
Treatment is based on the cause of the ulcer. In most cases, it can be treated with a prescription from the doctor, but in rare cases, surgery may be required.
Non-Surgical treatment – If the ulcer results from H. pylori, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill H. pylori and drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that block the stomach cells from producing acids. Where ulcers are formed because of excessive use of NSAIDs, cutting down or stopping the use is suggested, or another pain reliever is prescribed.
Symptoms of an ulcer can subside with the treatment. But even if the symptoms disappear, medication prescribed by the doctor should be continued until the entire course is completed. This is important, especially with H. pylori infections, to ensure that all the bacteria are eliminated.
Surgical treatment – If the ulcer is severe, usually this is rare, where the ulcers keep returning, and medications hardly show any improvements, doctors suggest surgery. Surgery may be suggested when there is a bleeding ulcer, a tear in the stomach or the food flow out of the stomach to the small intestine.
Surgery is performed to close the perforated ulcer, remove the ulcer, and take the tissue from another part of the intestine to patch it over the ulcer or cut off the nerve supply to the stomach in order to reduce the production of gastric acids.
