The difference between peptic ulcer and gastric ulcer.

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Peptic ulcers refer to ulcers occurring in the digestive tract, including duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers, whereas gastric ulcers specifically refer to ulcerative lesions occurring in the gastric mucosa. Clinically, there is often a distinction made between duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers. Clinically, gastric ulcers cause postprandial pain, while duodenal ulcers are characterized by midnight pain and hunger pain. Additionally, the locations of occurrence differ; gastric ulcers commonly occur on the lesser curvature of the stomach, whereas duodenal ulcers commonly occur in the bulb. The treatment methods are fundamentally similar, primarily involving the use of medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion and protect the mucous membrane. Moreover, it involves enhancing health education, maintaining a regular diet, reasonable rest, and avoiding excessive fatigue. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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The main causes of peptic ulcers

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 Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Characteristics of pain in peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, and gastro-duodenal composite ulcers. The common characteristic of peptic ulcers is upper abdominal pain, which tends to be recurrent, periodic, and regular. For duodenal bulb ulcers, the pain is primarily located above and to the right of the navel, mainly manifesting as hunger pain in the upper abdomen, which can be alleviated after eating, accompanied by nocturnal pain. Sometimes, bulb ulcers can cause back pain. Gastric ulcers are mainly located above and to the left of the navel, primarily characterized by postprandial pain.

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Gastroenterology
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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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Can people with peptic ulcers exercise?

Peptic ulcers are generally classified into duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers, along with mixed gastric-duodenal ulcers, etc. Clinically, they can generally be divided into acute active phase, healing phase, scar phase, etc. Generally speaking, patients with active peptic ulcers, in addition to standard medication, need absolute rest and must not overexert themselves. If it is in the remission or healing phase of peptic ulcer, in addition to developing good eating habits, one should also be cautious not to overexert; some light activities are still acceptable. Additionally, regular gastroscopy check-ups are necessary.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Symptoms of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers typically include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, and complex ulcers, among others, all of which feature upper abdominal pain. For gastric ulcers, the pain is generally located below the xiphoid process or in the upper left abdomen, primarily occurring after meals and often accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal bloating and acid reflux. Duodenal bulb ulcers usually present as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, which can be alleviated by eating and may include nighttime pain, often with significant acid reflux and heartburn. These can be definitively diagnosed via gastroscopy. Additionally, many elderly individuals may develop gastric ulcers after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often without significant pain, typically requiring a gastroscopy for accurate diagnosis.