The main causes of peptic ulcers

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 29, 2024

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It is generally believed that Helicobacter pylori is closely related to gastric inflammation, ulcer formation, and malignancies. Therefore, the main cause of peptic ulcers should be the infection of Helicobacter pylori.

Furthermore, certain conditions, such as connective tissue diseases and kidney diseases, may require long-term use of steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This can damage the gastric mucosa and increase the secretion of gastric acid, thereby promoting the occurrence of peptic ulcers.

Other factors like long-term poor dietary and living habits, such as smoking and consuming alcohol or spicy food, can also damage the gastrointestinal mucosa, thus leading to the development of peptic ulcers.

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Written by Chen Rong

Gastroenterology

1min 51sec

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Treatment of bleeding from peptic ulcers

Gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding may require different management based on the volume of bleeding. With significant bleeding, the condition becomes critical and rapidly changing. Priorities include anti-shock measures, rapid replenishment of blood volume, maintaining a supine position, keeping the airway clear to avoid aspiration during vomiting, providing oxygen if necessary, fasting during active bleeding, closely monitoring the patient's vital signs, immediate blood typing and cross-matching, promptly establishing an effective intravenous infusion pathway, and replenishing blood volume. Medications such as PPIs or H2 receptor antagonists can be used; the former should be chosen for severe bleeding and administered intravenously. About 80% of patients with gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding may stop bleeding without any special treatment, while the remaining patients may experience persistent bleeding or rebleeding. Emergency gastroscopy is crucial to determine if the patient is at high risk of rebleeding or has ongoing bleeding and can include therapeutic endoscopic interventions such as drug injections, electrocoagulation, and the use of hemostatic clips. If endoscopic treatment fails, the gastric and duodenal arteries may be embolized via arterial intervention. If pharmacologic, endoscopic, and interventional treatments cannot control the bleeding, and there is ongoing significant blood loss threatening the patient's life, surgical treatment may be necessary. (Specific medications should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

55sec

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Is peptic ulcer serious?

Peptic ulcer is a common disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including gastric ulcer, duodenal bulb ulcer, and gastroduodenal complex ulcer, etc. The primary cause is often infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors, such as poor dietary habits, smoking and alcohol stimulants, drug irritants, or emotional factors, can also lead to peptic ulcers. As for the severity of peptic ulcers, it should be judged based on the patient's age, medical history, medication history, and the results of gastroscopy, among other factors. Generally, peptic ulcers are not serious and can be cured with medication. However, a minority of recurrent cases might have a tendency to become cancerous. These cases can be effectively treated with a combination of medical and surgical treatments, and are generally not severe.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

51sec

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What can people with peptic ulcers eat?

Peptic ulcers include duodenal bulb ulcers, gastric ulcers, complex ulcers, etc. In such cases, formal treatment should be administered first. Depending on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, different treatment plans should be adopted. At the same time, it is important to develop good dietary and living habits, quit smoking and drinking, and ensure that the diet is light and easy to digest. While ensuring adequate nutrition, efforts should be made to minimize gastric irritation. Foods like soft and mushy rice, porridge, and soft noodles are preferable. Fresh vegetables and fruits are fine. Try to avoid overly cold, greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. Be sure to eat regularly and in moderation or have small, frequent meals, and avoid binge eating.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

1min 1sec

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How to treat peptic ulcers?

The treatment of peptic ulcers should be based on specific causes, as well as the patient's gender, age, medical history, and medication history, among other factors. Generally speaking, the primary cause of peptic ulcers is usually Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, the first step is to test for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori is present, antibacterial treatment is required, with the first choice being quadruple therapy, which includes a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, administered over a 10 to 14-day treatment course. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, the first choice would be proton pump inhibitors and gastric mucosal protective drugs, combined with symptomatic treatment. Meanwhile, it is crucial for patients with peptic ulcers to develop good eating and living habits, and relaxing their mindset can also be helpful.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

51sec

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Etiology of Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so on. It is currently believed that about 80% of peptic ulcers are related to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, poor dietary and living habits are closely linked to the formation of peptic ulcers, such as excessive smoking and drinking, overeating cold, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, as well as strong tea, coffee, etc. Moreover, many medications can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric ulcers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, emotional excitement and major trauma and other stress responses can also lead to acute gastric mucosal lesions, resulting in peptic ulcers.