Ulcer means wound. Ulcers can appear on surfaces such as the skin and the digestive system. So when we say peptic ulcer we describe a wound that can appear in the stomach and at the beginning of the small intestine called the duodenum.
Ulcer means wound. Ulcers can appear on surfaces such as the skin and the digestive system. So when we say peptic ulcer we describe a wound that can appear in the stomach and at the beginning of the small intestine called the duodenum.
Quite often ulcers have no symptoms. But when these are present, it is mainly pain in the upper abdomen that is related to meals and that often wakes the patient at night, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weight loss.
The most common causes of peptic ulcers are the presence of Helicobacter pylori and taking painkillers in the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Helicobacter pylori is a germ that is very often found in our stomach. It does not cause any discomfort to most people and they usually discover it by accident. In very few it causes lesions such as gastritis and stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, whether taken orally or by injection or suppository, can significantly damage the stomach and bulb.
The suspicion of ulcer enters with the patient’s history. The confirmation is done with the gastroscopy during which with a special instrument we enter from the mouth to the stomach and we see on the screen if there is any damage. A barium meal can also show if there is an ulcer. The first line treatment is the administration of drugs that reduce stomach acid such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If Helicobacter pylori infection co-occurs, a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor should be given. Smoking and alcohol should be stopped. It is forbidden to take anti-inflammatory drugs. If there is bleeding, hospitalization is needed and then through endoscopy, the bleeding can stop. There are cases where the bleeding does not stop and surgery is needed. If there is a stenosis or perforation, then the treatment is mainly surgical.
