Symptoms of duodenal ulcer

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Duodenal ulcers are relatively common in clinical practice and are a frequent condition in gastroenterology. Duodenal ulcers are generally more prevalent among middle-aged individuals, with symptoms most commonly including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The abdominal pain typically manifests as upper abdominal pain, usually hunger pain which often improves after eating. It typically presents as long-term, chronic episodes over extended periods and can also occur at night as hunger pain. Therefore, for some typical patients, especially middle-aged individuals, upper abdominal pain should raise concerns about duodenal ulcers. If a patient exhibits symptoms other than abdominal pain, such as black stools, this could suggest bleeding associated with duodenal ulcers, potentially leading to black stools or even vomiting blood. Hence, it is advised that if a patient has symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding along with abdominal pain, consideration should be given to the possibility of a bleeding duodenal ulcer. It is recommended that such patients undergo thorough gastroscopic examinations to clarify the diagnosis further.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 11sec home-news-image

The manifestations of duodenal ulcer.

Duodenal ulcers can cause symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of upper abdominal pain in duodenal ulcers typically lessens after eating and worsens when hungry. A gastroscope can reveal defects in the duodenal mucosa, confirming a diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. About 90%-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers are infected with Helicobacter pylori, therefore, a Carbon-14 breath test is recommended to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If the infection is positive, a 14-day eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required, involving a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. Additionally, treatment for duodenal ulcers includes acid suppression, gastric protection, enhancing gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. The treatment typically lasts about six weeks.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer

The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer is as follows: A diagnosis of duodenitis under endoscopy indicates inflammation in the duodenal bulb or descending part, featuring patchy congestion or spotted, erosive conditions identified during the endoscopic procedure, which lead to the diagnosis of duodenitis. If isolated or multiple ulcerative lesions are found in a certain area, it is diagnosed as a duodenal ulcer. Benign ulcers typically have clear boundaries, with surfaces covered with white moss or blood scabs, and the surrounding area may exhibit redness, concentrated mucosa, among other characteristics. Depending on these different presentations, there are different stages of the disease. Both duodenitis and duodenal ulcers are considered benign lesions.

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Written by Wang Li Wei
Gastroenterology
30sec home-news-image

How to examine the duodenum?

For some diseases of the duodenum, such as inflammation, ulcers, polyps, and tumors of the duodenum, the main examination method is gastroscopy. Gastroscopy can clearly and accurately identify the nature and location of the specific lesions. Additionally, by taking biopsies for pathology, it can specifically determine the benign or malignant nature of the disease, which is very helpful for subsequent treatment plans.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 27sec home-news-image

Symptoms of duodenal ulcer

Duodenal ulcers are relatively common in clinical practice and are a frequent condition in gastroenterology. Duodenal ulcers are generally more prevalent among middle-aged individuals, with symptoms most commonly including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The abdominal pain typically manifests as upper abdominal pain, usually hunger pain which often improves after eating. It typically presents as long-term, chronic episodes over extended periods and can also occur at night as hunger pain. Therefore, for some typical patients, especially middle-aged individuals, upper abdominal pain should raise concerns about duodenal ulcers. If a patient exhibits symptoms other than abdominal pain, such as black stools, this could suggest bleeding associated with duodenal ulcers, potentially leading to black stools or even vomiting blood. Hence, it is advised that if a patient has symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding along with abdominal pain, consideration should be given to the possibility of a bleeding duodenal ulcer. It is recommended that such patients undergo thorough gastroscopic examinations to clarify the diagnosis further.