Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum

Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum

Mark Nopfler

COMPLICATIONS OF GASTRIC AND DUODENAL ULCERS

The risk of serious complications depends on the cause, size and location of the ulcer, and the age and general health of the patient.

Bleeding is more common among the elderly. A large number of large blood vessels pass through the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Deepening or widening of the ulcer can cause the vessel to rupture. The risk of bleeding is higher in patients with duodenal ulcer.

Signs of acute bleeding - vomiting of blood, black feces (the color is due to the presence of blood). Patients need urgent hospitalization and treatment. With slow bleeding, the patient has anemia and weakness.

Ulcer perforation is the formation of a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum, which can lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity). Signs of perforation of the ulcer are severe acute abdominal pain, bloody vomiting and stools.

In cases where the ulcer is located in the lower part of the stomach, it is possible to develop cicatricial stenosis (narrowing) of the exit from the stomach, which prevents food from entering the intestines. The patient complains of a feeling of overcrowding, frequent vomiting after eating, and weight loss.

DIAGNOSIS OF GASTRIC AND DUODENAL ULCERS

Many symptoms of gastric and duodenal ulcers coincide with signs of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - GERD, functional dyspepsia, etc. Instrumental and laboratory methods are used to diagnose gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Gastroscopy is mandatory, which allows the doctor to detect and examine ulcers using endoscopic equipment. During the procedure, a small piece of tissue is taken - a biopsy. This is necessary for further histological examination, the task of which is to check for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells.

Every patient with gastric and duodenal ulcers should be diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori. For this, a tissue sample obtained from a biopsy can be used. In addition, modern medicine has non-invasive methods - a breath test, determination of Helicobacter pylori antigen in feces using monoclonal antibodies.

TREATMENT OF GASTRIC AND DUODENAL ULCERS

The choice of treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers depends on the underlying cause. Currently, in most cases, conservative therapy is sufficient or you can buy aciphex. Surgical treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers is used mainly for complications.

If the patient is infected with H. pylori, the bacteria are eradicated. For this, treatment regimens are used that include antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Eradication of H. pylori leads to a rapid recovery.

If the test for H. pylori is negative, treatment is aimed at creating favorable conditions for the ulcer to heal on its own. Proton pump inhibitors are prescribed, which reduce the acidity of gastric juice. It is necessary to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, replacing them with other options.

Self-treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers can harm the patient with the rapid development of complications, cancer and death, therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is worth contacting highly qualified doctors and undergoing a detailed examination.


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