Can duodenal ulcers be cured?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Duodenal bulb ulcers are definitely treatable. Treatment is mainly through medication, with the specific approach depending on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief using traditional medicines such as proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole and lansoprazole. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, antibacterial treatment is generally needed, using either triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy; triple therapy consists of a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics, and adding bismuth forms quadruple therapy. One treatment cycle lasts two weeks, and after completing medication, Helicobacter pylori can be rechecked in one month. Additionally, it's important to maintain good dietary and living habits. If recurrent duodenal bulb ulcers cause bleeding at night, surgical treatment can typically be considered.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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The difference between gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

The differences between gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, in terms of symptoms, include that gastric ulcers often manifest as burning pain, or dull pain, distention pain, etc., usually postprandial pain, occasionally with nighttime pain. If it occurs at the pyloric canal, it lacks typical symptoms, with intense pain likely occurring after eating, and poor drug efficacy, prone to vomiting and pyloric obstruction, perforation, and bleeding. Gastric ulcers have a minor possibility of becoming cancerous. Duodenal ulcer pain is mostly located in the upper abdomen, characterized by hunger pain and midnight pain. Abdominal pain generally eases after eating or taking some antacid medications. For ulcers occurring behind the bulb, nighttime pain and a radiating pain in the back are more common. However, the effectiveness of medication is relatively poor, and it is prone to bleeding. Duodenal ulcers are more likely to lead to perforation and pyloric obstruction, but generally do not become cancerous.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What is the best treatment for duodenal ulcers?

The main symptoms of duodenal ulcer include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, and indigestion. A duodenal ulcer can be diagnosed through a gastroscopy, which reveals the presence of an ulcer in the duodenum. The primary cause of duodenal ulcers is infection by Helicobacter pylori, hence a Carbon-14 breath test is recommended to confirm the presence of H. pylori infection. Roughly 90%-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers are infected with H. pylori. Another common cause is the digestion of the stomach itself by stomach acid and pepsin. Treatment primarily involves eradicating H. pylori, suppressing acid, protecting the stomach, enhancing gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, with the treatment duration being about six weeks.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of duodenal ulcers?

The main symptoms of duodenal ulcers include upper abdominal bloating, burping, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of the upper abdominal pain associated with duodenal ulcers is that the pain intensifies when hungry and decreases after eating. In terms of treatment, the main approach includes acid suppression to protect the stomach, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, with the treatment course lasting about six weeks. Additionally, a Carbon-14 breath test is necessary to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, as Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as the most important cause of peptic ulcers. If the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, a 14-day treatment targeting Helicobacter pylori is required, using a regimen of a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What will happen if you drink alcohol with a duodenal bulb ulcer?

Common symptoms of duodenal bulb ulcers include stomach pain, bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. A gastroscopy can reveal defects in the duodenal mucosa, which can be diagnosed as duodenal ulcers. Drinking alcohol can irritate the gastric mucosa as well as the duodenal mucosa. If there is an ulcer in the duodenal bulb and alcohol is consumed, it can exacerbate the ulcer, causing the ulcerated area to enlarge and more severe symptoms to appear. Therefore, drinking alcohol can lead to the worsening of duodenal ulcers. Thus, individuals with gastric diseases or peptic ulcers must abstain from alcohol, as it can aggravate the existing condition. If a duodenal ulcer worsens, penetrating the serosal or basal layer, it may lead to perforation. In such cases, emergency surgery is required for treatment. Hence, it is crucial for those with duodenal ulcers to avoid alcohol.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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How to alleviate nausea from duodenal ulcers?

Duodenal ulcer primarily manifests with symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, acid reflux, and belching. The characteristic pain associated with this condition typically diminishes after eating and worsens when hungry. A gastroscopy revealing defects in the duodenal mucosa can confirm a diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. Treatment focuses on acid suppression and gastric protection, enhancing gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. Additionally, a carbon-14 breath test is conducted to check for Helicobacter pylori infection, a bacterium that can cause peptic ulcers. If the test is positive, a 14-day treatment against Helicobacter pylori is required. By adhering to this treatment protocol, symptoms can be effectively resolved.