What are Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers are ulcers which are found in your stomach and/or your duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine.) Your stomach and duodenum are many cell layers thick. Peptic ulcers are caused by irritation or defects in the first of these cell layers (the mucosal layer).
Under normal conditions, a physiological balance exists between the acid produced in the stomach and the defence mechanism of the mucosa. Injury to the mucosa occurs when this balance is disrupted, producing an ulcer.
Under normal conditions, a physiological balance exists between the acid produced in the stomach and the defence mechanism of the mucosa. Injury to the mucosa occurs when this balance is disrupted, producing an ulcer.
Causes and Risk factors
Peptic ulcers are due to one or a combination of the following:
Causes and Risk factors
Peptic ulcers are due to one or a combination of the following:
H pylori infection
Most commonly peptic ulcers are caused by an infection from a bacteria called H pylori. H pylori is associated with 90% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of stomach ulcers
H pylori infection
Most commonly peptic ulcers are caused by an infection from a bacteria called H pylori. H pylori is associated with 90% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of stomach ulcers
Long term use of certain drugs
- NSAIDs (short for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Aspirin (Grandpa, Disprin, etc), ibuprofen and others are common causes of ulcers.
- Cocaine use
Long term use of certain drugs
- NSAIDs (short for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Aspirin (Grandpa, Disprin, etc), ibuprofen and others are common causes of ulcers.
- Cocaine use
- Methamphetamines (tik)
Smoking
Smoking plus H pylori infection further increases the risk and delays healing of the ulcer.
Smoking
Smoking plus H pylori infection further increases the risk and delays healing of the ulcer.
Severe stress caused by illness
Severe stress caused by illness
Symptoms
The typical symptom of peptic ulcers is a burning pain or sensation in the upper part of your abdomen, called the epigastrium. Depending on the site of the ulcer, the pain is worsened or relieved after meals
Symptoms
The typical symptom of peptic ulcers is a burning pain or sensation in the upper part of your abdomen, called the epigastrium. Depending on the site of the ulcer, the pain is worsened or relieved after meals
Peptic ulcers can also cause:
- Belching or bloating
- Heartburn
- Bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
Peptic ulcers can also cause:
- Belching or bloating
- Heartburn
- Bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
Experiencing epigastric pain with the last 3 symptoms should prompt urgent referral to the hospital.
Experiencing epigastric pain with the last 3 symptoms should prompt urgent referral to the hospital.
Diagnosis
The presence of ulcers is diagnosed using an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin tubed instrument with a camera on the end. The endoscope is used to visualise the lining of your stomach and small intestine to find the ulcers. It is inserted from the mouth and is not painful.
Diagnosis
The presence of ulcers is diagnosed using an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin tubed instrument with a camera on the end. The endoscope is used to visualise the lining of your stomach and small intestine to find the ulcers. It is inserted from the mouth and is not painful.
Treatment
Ulcers are best treated by removing the cause. This can be achieved by:
- Avoiding NSAID pain medication or other drugs
- Quitting smoking
- Treating H pylori with antibiotics (clarithromycin and amoxicillin)
- Taking medication to reduce acid in the stomach such as omeprazole.
- Avoiding alcohol use while ulcers heal
Treatment
Ulcers are best treated by removing the cause. This can be achieved by:
- Avoiding NSAID pain medication or other drugs
- Quitting smoking
- Treating H pylori with antibiotics (clarithromycin and amoxicillin)
- Taking medication to reduce acid in the stomach such as omeprazole.
- Avoiding alcohol use while ulcers heal
Ulcers take on average 6-8 weeks to heal and endoscopy is repeated after 8 weeks to confirm that healing has taken place.
Ulcers take on average 6-8 weeks to heal and endoscopy is repeated after 8 weeks to confirm that healing has taken place.
Ulcers take on average 6-8 weeks to heal and endoscopy is repeated after 8 weeks to confirm that healing has taken place.
Ulcers take on average 6-8 weeks to heal and endoscopy is repeated after 8 weeks to confirm that healing has taken place.
