What should I do if a duodenal ulcer causes diarrhea?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Patients with duodenal ulcers who experience diarrhea should undergo a routine stool examination to rule out diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. If there is no obvious organic disease in the intestines, the diarrhea associated with duodenal ulcers may be due to excessive secretion of stomach acid. It is advisable to consider using medications that suppress the secretion of stomach acid, such as proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole or lansoprazole, etc. You can also use aluminum magnesium carbonate, sucralfate, etc., to protect the stomach lining. For patients with abdominal distension, medications like mosapride can be used to promote gastric motility treatment.

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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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Gastroenterology
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Symptoms and Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer

Duodenal bulb ulcers often manifest as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, which relieves after eating, accompanied by nocturnal pain. Symptoms also include acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, etc. If there is bleeding, symptoms may include black stools and vomiting blood. Treatment depends on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, antibacterial treatment is required, commonly using a triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy for two weeks. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, generally using proton pump inhibitors and gastroprotective medications such as bismuth agents. Additionally, it is important to develop good dietary and lifestyle habits to prevent recurrence.

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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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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.

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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.)