Asymptomatic peptic ulcer

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

Updated on November 16, 2024

00:00

00:00

Peptic ulcers typically include duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers. They more or less have typical related symptoms, such as long-term, recurrent, regular upper abdominal pain related to eating, along with symptoms like acid reflux. Diagnosis can be confirmed through gastroscopy. A small portion of patients, especially middle-aged and elderly patients with a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) year-round. This situation can easily lead to the occurrence of acute gastric mucosal lesions and often results in asymptomatic gastric ulcers. Many patients present with symptoms like vomiting blood and black stools when they seek medical advice.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

55sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

1min 3sec

home-news-image

Symptoms of peptic ulcers

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.

home-news-image

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

51sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

57sec

home-news-image

Clinical characteristics of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer is a common and frequently occurring upper gastrointestinal disease. The most likely cause may be infection by Helicobacter pylori, with other potential causes including irritation from smoking and alcohol, poor dietary and living habits, severe psychological stress, or medications, among others. The primary change is usually an excessive secretion of gastric acid, which irritates the gastric mucosa leading to self-digestion and the appearance of gastric or duodenal erosion and ulcers. Clinically, it often presents as long-term, periodic, rhythmic upper abdominal pain, which may be located in the upper left abdomen or slightly right of the navel, and is often accompanied by regurgitation, belching, acid reflux, nausea, etc. If there is ulcer bleeding, it often presents as black stools or even vomiting blood, among other symptoms.

home-news-image

Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

1min 2sec

home-news-image

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.)