Ulcers found in the stomach are called gastric ulcers.
Those in theesophagus(the food pipe between the throat and the stomach) are calledesophageal ulcers.
Ulcers in theduodenumare calledduodenal ulcers.
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All of these ulcers fall into a category called peptic ulcer disease.
The two most common types are gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
This erosion of the lining and then the wall can result in an open sore.
There may be some differences in the symptoms of duodenal and gastric ulcers.
The pain usually gets better after eating.
Gastric ulcers may cause pain soon after eating, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
Common Ulcer Symptoms
Some ulcers cause no symptoms at all.
Or symptoms may come and go if the ulcer heals and then flares up again.
This might be likely when an ulcer is actively bleeding.
Usually, it doesnt cause any problems.
But sometimes this bacterium can grow out of control.
The overgrowth can start to break down the stomach lining and cause ulcers.
This cause of duodenal and gastric ulcers is common.
NSAIDs can prevent the digestive tract against stomach acid.
NSAIDs can also interfere with the ability of the blood to clot.
Ulcers might bleed more if blood isnt clotting effectively.
There are many types of NSAIDs.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition.
In this syndrome, tumors form in the pancreas and/or the small intestine.
Those tumors secrete a hormone called gastrin, which stimulates stomach acid production.
The excess acid may lead to the formation of ulcers.
Its estimated that this condition affects fewer than 1 to 3 people out of every 1 million.
People are most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
Other Causes
Stress or strong emotions are not a usual cause of ulcers.
It might be necessary to wait up to four weeks after stopping an antibiotic before taking anH.
A stool antigen test is commonly used to diagnose anH.
Stool is collected and sent to a lab for testing.
pyloriproduces an enzyme called urease.
A high urease level could mean that there is an infection withH.
To use the breath test forH.
pylori, patients are given radioactive carbon to eat or drink.
After doing that, the patient breathes into a sealed bag.
The breath is then tested for the signs of anH.
An ulcer thats bleeding could be cauterized (sealed by heat) or clamped.
Medication can also be injected during an EGD.
Its done by drinking a substance called barium.
A series of X-rays are taken as the barium moves through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
This can show if there are any abnormalities, like an ulcer.
An EGD might be used more often than this test.
Treatments for Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers
There are a variety of ways thatulcers can be treated.
They include medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery.
The treatments might be different based on the cause of the ulcer.
These drugs block the creation of the stomach acids that can lead to ulcers.
Brands of PPIs include:
PPIs are also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
If surgery is needed, they might be used both beforehand and afterward.
Histamine receptor blockers are another form of medication that is used to treat ulcers.These drugs block histamine.
Histamine is what signals the body to create stomach acid.
Brands of histamine blockers include:
When the cause of the ulcer as an infection withH.
pylori, antibiotics are used to erase the infection.
The punch in of antibiotics that are used will be different based on several factors.
The treatment will be tailored to the patient.
A person with Crohn’s disease can also be treated for ulcers with anti-inflammatory medications, including biologic therapies.
Ulcer Surgery
Surgery for peptic ulcerscan repair the damage done to the digestive system lining.
It’s not commonly done but may be needed if there are complications such as bleeding or a perforation.
For Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, surgery may be used to remove the tumors.
This can also prevent tumors from spreading to other parts of the body.
Medication might be used even after having surgery, if needed.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Its important to get treatment for ulcers.
Bleeding
Ulcers are wounds so they might bleed.
In some rare cases the bleeding can be serious.
Perforation
Aperforationis a hole in the lining of an organ in thedigestive system.
Duodenal ulcers can cause anarrowing in the small intestine.
The symptoms can include vomiting, bloating, early satiety (feeling full), and pain.
This is an emergency so if you think you have a blockage, seek medical care right away.
Preventing Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers
Ulcers cant always be prevented.
Its important to remember, also, that an ulcer is not because of stress or eating certain foods.
Its important to see a healthcare provider and to find out how to get an ulcer managed and healed.
In most cases, ulcers fromH.
pylorior NSAIDs can be healed.Taking steps to prevent ulcers in the future may also be recommended.
They can cause symptoms of pain, nausea, bloating, and vomiting.
If an ulcer is suspected, there may be a need for diagnosis to determine the cause.
There is a variety of treatments available that can help heal an ulcer.
Adopting anoverall healthful lifestylemay be helpful in preventing certain types of ulcers from getting worse and in healing them.
However, some ulcers are not preventable.
Getting treatment and healing ulcers when they do occur is important to avoid complications.
There is no evidence that ulcers can be healed through food.
The most common cause of peptic ulcers is an infection withH.
Duodenal ulcers are more common withH.
Peptic ulcers are slightly more common in men than in women.
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