Symptoms of peptic ulcers

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Upper abdominal pain is a symptom common to peptic ulcers, including dull, mild, or bloating pain, which is generally tolerable and varies in characteristics. For instance, the pain from a gastric ulcer is usually located in the upper abdomen, predominantly on the upper left side, and sometimes extends to the lower abdomen. It typically occurs about half an hour to an hour after meals and gradually eases after two to three hours. For duodenal bulb ulcers, the pain is generally around two fingers to the right of the belly button. It often presents as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, accompanied by nighttime pain. If it is a post-bulbar ulcer, it often causes back pain. Complex ulcers may exhibit characteristics of both types. Additionally, ulcers are generally associated with excessive stomach acid, leading to symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, and abdominal bloating. If there is bleeding, it is often accompanied by black stools or even vomiting blood.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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The difference between peptic ulcer and gastric ulcer.

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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Can people with peptic ulcers exercise?

The primary cause of peptic ulcers is usually Helicobacter pylori infection, though other factors can also trigger the onset of peptic ulcers, such as tobacco and alcohol irritation, poor dietary habits, and emotional issues. Additionally, excessive fatigue is also one of the causes that can trigger or cause a recurrence of peptic ulcers. Therefore, whether or not a person with peptic ulcers can exercise depends on the specific condition of the illness. If it is an acute active phase or a subacute peptic ulcer that has not fully healed, strict rest is necessary in such cases. If a gastroscopy shows that the ulcer has completely healed, moderate and light activities are permissible, but excessive fatigue should still be avoided.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Clinical characteristics of peptic ulcer

The main cause of peptic ulcers is believed to be infection by Helicobacter pylori. Other factors such as smoking, alcohol, poor diet, living habits, medication use, or emotional issues can also play a role. Clinically, these ulcers are often characterized by upper abdominal pain. In the case of gastric ulcers, the pain is primarily in the upper left abdomen or below the sternum, and can manifest as dull pain, blunt pain, or a feeling of distension. This pain is often more apparent after meals, commonly occurring half an hour to an hour after eating, and usually subsides two to three hours later. Duodenal bulb ulcers are characterized by upper abdominal muscular pain, occurring around two centimeters above and to the right of the navel, sometimes accompanied by nighttime pain. If the ulcer is located behind the bulb, back pain can also occur. Peptic ulcers can lead to other complications, such as perforation, bleeding, or even cancer.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Peptic Ulcer Clinical Symptoms

Peptic ulcers are a common disease and often seen in clinical practice. They are typically manifested by discomfort in the upper abdomen, which may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and belching, and patients usually visit the gastroenterology department. The abdominal pain related to peptic ulcers, particularly the most typical and common symptoms, usually presents as pain above the navel, with chronic and recurrent attacks. It often relates to dietary habits, such as postprandial worsening in the case of gastric ulcers, whereas duodenal ulcers typically improve after eating and may involve hunger pain and night pain. Therefore, if patients exhibit these typical symptoms, it is recommended to perform a gastroscopy to ascertain the presence of duodenal or gastric ulcers. Complications can occur with peptic ulcers, with the most common being gastrointestinal bleeding, manifested by vomiting blood or bloody stools, with the latter appearing as tarry, watery stools. Thus, if patients present with typical symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and particularly bleeding or vomiting blood and bloody stools, peptic ulcers are the most likely cause. It is advised for patients to actively seek treatment at local hospitals and receive medication therapy.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can a peptic ulcer heal itself?

Peptic ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are relatively common in clinical settings and generally have a good prognosis. For simple peptic ulcers, patients usually do not exhibit common symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloody stools, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., and these can often heal on their own. However, if a patient experiences typical upper abdominal symptoms like vomiting blood, bloody stools, or significant abdominal pain, especially pain in the lower back, it is advisable for the patient to seek timely treatment at a local hospital for further clarification. In treating this condition, a few points should be noted: First, pay attention to diet and rest, it’s advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol. Second, if peptic ulcers are suspected, one might consider using supplementary oral medications, such as antacids or gastroprotective drugs etc., which generally lead to a good prognosis. Of course, if the patient does not exhibit any special symptoms, regular observation may suffice.