Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease may include pain, nausea, vomiting and a burning sensation in the stomach area. Typical ulcer symptoms may last for several days or weeks. However, some patients experience more severe symptoms. If you experience symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, see a health care provider as soon as possible. The doctor will perform a physical examination, take a stethoscope and listen for noises in the stomach.
Peptic ulcers are a break in the mucosal layer of the stomach and duodenum. They develop when the stomach produces too much acid, which breaks down the protective mucus. Typically, the ulcer will heal on its own, but in severe cases, it may not heal. In these cases, surgery is required to restore the digestive tract.
Some of the risk factors for peptic ulcers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol, and smoking. In addition to these risk factors, peptic ulcers can be caused by a fungus called Helicobacter pylori. This fungus can be identified by a urea breath test. The test is more accurate than a blood or stool test, and will allow the doctor to identify peptic ulcers.
If the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease persist, your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. An endoscopy is a special procedure in which a camera is used to show the lining of the duodenum and stomach. This procedure will also be used to detect the presence of H. pylori, which is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Peptic ulcers are typically found in the duodenum, which is the first portion of the small intestine. They are also four times more likely to develop in the duodenum than in the stomach. If the ulcer is located in the duodenum, your doctor will prescribe a drug that suppresses acidity. Other drugs used to treat the disease include mucosal-protective agents and proton pump inhibitors. In addition to reducing acid, these medications can prevent the lining of the digestive tract from being damaged.
Some of the risks for developing peptic ulcers include using drugs that are too strong, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin, and smoking. If you have peptic ulcer disease, it’s important to avoid the risk factors. You can also prevent the disease from occurring by avoiding alcohol and spicy foods. You may also want to change your diet to help heal your ulcer. However, changing your diet doesn’t prevent it from reoccurring.
In addition to these risks, peptic ulcer disease can also be caused by cancer. A gastrinoma, for example, is a cancerous tumor that secretes gastrin. If you have peptic ulcer disease and you experience prominent diarrhea, you should have your serum gastrin levels measured. If you have a gastrinoma, you may also need to undergo chemotherapy to treat the tumor.
Peptic ulcer disease is often accompanied by bleeding. This can occur in the duodenum, pyloric sphincter, pancreas, lesser sac, or liver. Bleeding can cause a hole to form in the bowel, which can cause severe pain and possibly catastrophic consequences. During an endoscopy, your doctor will attempt to stop bleeding. He or she may use a clamp to seal the ulcer or inject a drug. In addition to bleeding, peptic ulcers can cause severe pain, nausea, and tiredness. Medications that can help reduce acidity include proton pump inhibitors, mucosal-protective agents, and histamine receptor blockers.
