Symptoms of peptic ulcer

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on October 26, 2024
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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.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How is peptic ulcer treated?

The treatment of peptic ulcers mainly depends on their cause. It is generally believed that infection with Helicobacter pylori is most closely related to peptic ulcers. In such cases, the first step is to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is an infection, antibacterial treatment is generally used, with the common regimen being quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics and a bismuth agent. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient. The preferred method is to use acid-suppressing and stomach-lining-protecting medications, combined with symptomatic treatment. At the same time, it is helpful to develop good dietary and living habits, opt for a light and easy-to-digest diet, and eat regularly in fixed amounts. Avoid overeating and excessive fatigue; abstain from smoking and alcohol, and maintaining a good mood all help. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can peptic ulcers become cancerous?

Peptic ulcers generally refer to gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. It is generally believed that most gastric ulcers are benign, but a small portion of patients may develop cancer, approximately 3%-5%, especially in middle-aged and elderly patients. If the ulcers recur and continue to enlarge, there needs to be vigilance for potential malignancy. However, duodenal ulcers generally do not become cancerous and are more common in young people, presenting symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and bloody stools. Therefore, for peptic ulcers, most are benign, but a small fraction of patients may have ulcers that evolve into cancerous ones, presenting as benign peptic ulcers, which calls for caution, especially in middle-aged and elderly patients. Therefore, it is recommended that patients regularly treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. If the treatment period is prolonged and peptic ulcers recur frequently with poor outcomes, patients should be alert to the potential for cancer and are advised to undergo gastroscopic examination and biopsy for further clarification.

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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 Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
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Peptic ulcer is what?

Peptic ulcers are a recurrent, periodic, and rhythmic disease characterized by upper abdominal pain. They mainly occur in the stomach and duodenum. The causes include excessive secretion of gastric acid, reduced protective function of the gastric mucosa, and infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. In terms of symptoms, there is mainly a tenderness in the upper abdomen. For diagnosis, gastroscope can be used to examine the mucosa for the presence of ulcers.

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

Peptic ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disease, and the primary cause should primarily be Helicobacter pylori infection. Extensive research has proven that Helicobacter pylori infection is closely related to gastric inflammation activity, the formation of peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Secondly, drugs are a factor; many drugs can damage the gastric mucosa, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, which often lead to the occurrence of peptic ulcers. Additionally, mental stress is often a catalyst for stomach diseases, with numerous studies showing that a person's emotions, personality, and mental stress are related to peptic ulcers. Furthermore, poor dietary and living habits can also damage the gastric mucosa, leading to the occurrence of peptic ulcers.