Page contents
- What is a stomach ulcer?
- symptoms
- Causes and risk factors
- Multiples
- Diagnosis
- treatment
- protection
A gastric ulcer is a sore in the mucous membrane of the stomach.
As in the case of duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers are also a form of peptic ulcer disease, as the prevalence of stomach ulcers in Western society is less than the prevalence of duodenal ulcers, and it generally appears at a more advanced age, and its prevalence is greater at the age of 50 - 60 years old.
Stomach ulcer symptoms
The symptoms of stomach ulcers are numerous, and the main symptom of the disease is abdominal pain. Abdominal pain can appear in several forms, and it is not characteristic and exclusive to stomach ulcers only.
It is possible for pain to appear when eating or after a certain time and it may even awaken a stomach ulcer patient from his sleep, and additional symptoms of stomach ulcers include the following:
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Low weight.
Bloody vomiting and black stools are among the symptoms that require investigation to ensure that there is no peptic ulcer.
Causes and risk factors for stomach ulcers
The main causes of injury include the following:
1. Helicobacter pylori infection
Gastric ulcer is a form of peptic ulcer disease. Stomach ulcers occur as a result of an imbalance between harmful factors such as Helicobacter pylori and the defense mechanisms of the gastric mucosa on the other.
pylori infection appears in 70% of gastric ulcer cases, and unlike duodenal ulcer patients, the acid secretion level in the stomach is lower in patients with stomach ulcers compared to healthy people.
That is, injury to the defense mechanism of the gastric mucosa appears to be the main cause for the development of gastric ulcers.
2. Take medicines
Another important reason for the formation of stomach ulcers is the use of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - NAIDs. These drugs intended to treat pain and inflammation in the joints inhibit the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1 and harm the production of prostaglandins. (Prostaglandins), which are vital substances to protect the gastric mucosa.
The widespread treatment of these drugs in recent years, especially among the elderly, has led to a significant increase in the percentage of patients with gastric ulcers and their complications, such as severe bleeding.
Stomach ulcer complications
The most notable complications include the following:
- Bleeding at the site of the ulcer.
- Perforation of the stomach lining at the site of ulcer division.
- Intestinal obstruction.
Stomach ulcer diagnosis
The diagnosis is made through the following:
1. Endoscopy
The most accurate examination for diagnosing stomach ulcers is endoscopy of the upper digestive tract. To perform this examination, a flexible tube with a very small video camera is inserted into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
This examination allows a close view of the gastric mucosa and taking a tissue sample at the edges of the ulcer for a pathological examination to confirm or deny the presence of Helicobacter pylori, and in order to spare the patient the uncomfortable feeling during the examination, it is performed under local anesthesia for the pharynx or by introducing sedatives intravenously before Start the examination.
2. X-ray
Another examination to diagnose stomach ulcers is an x-ray of the stomach and duodenum after giving contrast material (Barium). This examination is inaccurate and it is not possible to take a sample during a microscopic examination or to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori.
Although there are typical signs distinguishing between a benign ulcer and a malignant ulcer, it is preferable in all cases to perform an endoscopic examination with the aim of biopsy and to rule out the presence of malignant tumors.
stomach ulcer treatment
Treatment of stomach ulcers is divided into two main cases:
1. Proven infection with H. pylori
Treatment is as follows:
- Antibiotics must be taken to completely eradicate H. pylori, which is known today as a triple therapy consisting of the three antibiotics: metronidazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin.
- Treatment with anti-secretory medications, which help the ulcer heal better.
- Consult your physician about the possibility of discontinuing NSAID pain relievers.
2. No confirmed H. pylori contamination:
First of all, the doctor must make sure that there is no infection with this germ by more than one examination. One negative examination for the absence of this germ is not enough for actual confirmation, and treatment methods include the following:
- Treatment by antisecretory drugs that help heal ulcers better, as there are three main classes of these drugs:
- Proton pump inhibitors.
- Histamine receptor blockers.
- Medicines that contain synthetic prostaglandins, such as misoprostol.
3. Giant ulcer treatment
In this case, and in addition to all the treatment options presented above, treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for a long period of time over 12 weeks is recommended for this type.
In addition to the need to perform an endoscopy to review the location of the ulcer, due to the increased risk in these types of ulcers, as a malignant tumor is formed.
It is also recommended to resort to surgical treatment of stomach ulcers in the event of confirmation of the presence of malignant tumors or when suspected of the presence of malignant tumors, after the failure of appropriate and continuous treatment to heal the ulcer.
Stomach ulcer prevention
Prevention methods include the following:
- Avoid foods that irritate the stomach.
- stop smoking.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with food; As this may reduce the risk of irritation of the stomach lining.
- Learn how to control your stress levels.
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