Disease
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Overview of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) refers to painful sores or
ulcers that form in the lining of the stomach, the
lower esophagus, or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum).
These ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the protective lining of the digestive tract.
Most often, they’re caused by a bacterial infection (H. pylori) or long-term use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If left untreated, peptic ulcers can lead to
serious complications like internal bleeding or perforation of the stomach wall.
Types of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Gastric Ulcer: Develops on the inner lining of the stomach.
- Duodenal Ulcer: Forms in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
- Esophageal Ulcer: Occurs in the lower part of the esophagus.
- Stress Ulcer: Triggered by physical stress, often seen in hospitalized patients.
- Refractory Ulcer: Doesn’t heal after 8-12 weeks of treatment.
Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Persistent burning or gnawing pain in the stomach, especially between meals or at night.
- Nausea or vomiting, sometimes with blood.
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
- Feeling of bloating or fullness, even after small meals.
- Dark, tarry stools, indicating internal bleeding.
- Heartburn or acid reflux-like symptoms.
- Fatigue due to blood loss in bleeding ulcers.
Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection – a common bacterial cause.
- Long-term use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen.
- Excess stomach acid production (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
- Smoking, which delays healing of ulcers.
- Alcohol consumption irritating the stomach lining.
- Stress and spicy foods don’t directly cause ulcers but may worsen symptoms.
Complications in Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Bleeding ulcer leading to anemia or black stools.
- Perforation of the stomach or intestinal wall, requiring emergency surgery.
- Gastric outlet obstruction, causing vomiting and weight loss.
- Peritonitis, a life-threatening infection from a perforated ulcer.
- Increased risk of stomach cancer, especially with H. pylori infection.
Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Frequent NSAID use or over-the-counter painkillers.
- H. pylori infection without treatment.
- Smoking and alcohol abuse.
- Age above 60, increasing susceptibility.
- Family history of ulcers.
- Existing liver, kidney, or lung disease.
Preventions of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Avoid frequent use of NSAIDs or take them with food.
- Treat H. pylori infections promptly with antibiotics.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
- Eat balanced meals and avoid skipping meals.
- Use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) if on long-term NSAIDs.
Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Upper endoscopy to view the ulcer and take a biopsy if needed.
- Urea breath test or stool antigen test for H. pylori detection.
- Blood test to check for H. pylori antibodies.
- Barium swallow X-ray to identify ulcer shape and size.
- Complete blood count (CBC) to detect anemia from bleeding.
Treatments of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori bacteria.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production.
- H2-receptor blockers to help lower stomach acid levels.
- Antacids for fast, short-term relief.
- Discontinuation of NSAIDs, replacing with safer pain relievers.
- Surgery, in rare cases of perforation, obstruction, or bleeding that doesn’t stop.
Prognosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Most ulcers heal within 6-8 weeks with proper treatment.
- Long-term outcomes are excellent when the cause is identified and treated.
- Relapse is possible if risk factors like H. pylori or NSAID use continue.
- With early diagnosis, serious complications are preventable.
Care at MyhealthMydoctor
- Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plans tailored for each patient.
- Access to top gastroenterologists and surgeons for complicated cases.
- Support with international travel, stay, and hospital coordination.
- Affordable treatment packages for endoscopy, surgery, and medications.
- Follow-up assistance even after the patient returns home.
Some Important Questions Patients Should Ask Their Doctor During a Consultation
- What type of ulcer do I have — gastric or duodenal?
- Could my medications be causing my ulcer?
- How long will treatment take to heal the ulcer?
- Is it safe to continue using pain relievers?
- Will dietary changes help in my recovery?
- Do I need to be tested for H. pylori?
- What happens if I don’t treat the ulcer?
What Patients Expect from Doctors During Consultation?
- Clear explanation about what a peptic ulcer is and its likely cause.
- Discussion on whether H. pylori testing is needed.
- A breakdown of treatment options and expected timeline.
- Guidance on lifestyle or diet changes for faster healing.
- Support in managing medication side effects if any.
- Advice on which pain relievers are safe to use going forward.
- Monitoring plan for follow-up and recurrence prevention.
- Transparent communication about complications and when to seek help.