Where does a duodenal ulcer hurt?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

Firstly, the common sites for duodenal ulcers are the anterior and posterior walls posterior to the bulb, as well as the area behind the duodenal bulb itself. The pain symptoms typically show a pattern. For example, the pain occurs in recurrent, cyclical episodes related to eating, manifesting as sporadic abdominal pain about 2cm above the right side of the belly button, more pronounced on an empty stomach, and alleviating after meals. Sometimes, there is also pain during the night. If the ulcer is located behind the duodenal bulb, it often causes back pain. The main cause is usually an infection with Helicobacter pylori, and eradication therapy can generally cure the condition.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
50sec home-news-image

Does duodenal ulcer cause bloating?

Duodenal ulcers can lead to bloating because the duodenum is located just below the pylorus. Once an ulcer occurs in the duodenum, it can cause swelling of the pylorus. Consequently, when the pylorus is swollen, it becomes difficult for gases to be expelled from the stomach, leading to a likelihood of bloating in patients. Once a patient develops a duodenal ulcer, it is imperative first to use proton pump inhibitors to suppress gastric acid secretion to alleviate congestion and swelling of the duodenal mucosa. Secondly, medications that protect the stomach lining, such as magnesium aluminum carbonate and sucralfate, should be used for treatment. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Can you eat garlic with a duodenal ulcer?

Common symptoms of duodenal ulcer include stomach pain, bloating, burping, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. The pain typically becomes more noticeable when hungry and lessens after eating. This pattern of pain is a characteristic manifestation. By performing endoscopy, defects can be seen in the duodenal mucosa. Treatment involves acid suppression, stomach protection, and promotion of gastric motility, with a particular emphasis on dietary adjustments. It is important to avoid smoking and alcohol, as well as spicy, fried, barbecue, and other irritating foods. Garlic, being an irritant, should not be consumed by those with duodenal ulcers. A diet consisting of easily digestible and mild foods is recommended, such as porridge, soup, noodles, or very tenderly cooked meats, which can assist in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

The difference between gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are collectively known as peptic ulcers, formed under the self-digestion action of gastric acid and pepsin. Gastric ulcers are more common in middle-aged and elderly people, generally occurring at the lesser curvature of the stomach body. The pain of a gastric ulcer typically appears within an hour after eating, also known as postprandial pain, which gradually eases after one to two hours of digestion and absorption; gastric ulcers can easily lead to bleeding and perforation. Duodenal ulcers are more common in young and middle-aged adults, frequently occurring in the duodenal bulb. Typical symptoms include postprandial pain and midnight pain, which can be alleviated by using antacids. The treatment methods for gastric and duodenal ulcers are similar. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to diet in daily life, eat less spicy, greasy, and irritating food, and consume more soft, easily digestible food.