What is peptic ulcer?

It is a condition characterized by an open sore in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum, which causes burning and pain, especially between meals and at night.

A peptic ulcer develops when the acids that help digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum, mainly due to a stomach infection caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. However, it can also be due to the prolonged use of pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other medications.

There are a series of conditions that can contribute to the formation of a peptic ulcer, including:

• Eating spicy foods.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Smoking.
• Radiation therapy treatments.
• Continuously living under stress.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

• Episodes of heartburn.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Sore abdomen.
• Burning sensation in the stomach.
• Burping.
• Bloating.
• Intolerance to fatty foods.
• Nausea.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Decreased body weight.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Vomiting blood.

Risks and Complications of a Peptic Ulcer

Among the possible risks and complications of a peptic ulcer are:

• Stomach obstruction.
• Perforation in the stomach wall.
• Internal bleeding.
• Stomach cancer.

After analyzing your symptoms and clinical history, the doctor will perform a physical exam and request a series of studies to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis, such as:

• Blood and stool tests.
• Hemoglobin test.
• Barium swallow study.
• Breath test.
• Endoscopy.

The treatment will depend on the cause, but regularly includes a combination of antibiotics to eliminate Helicobacter pylori, medications to reduce heartburn and acid production, as well as to protect the lining of the stomach and small intestine. In case of acute bleeding or a perforation in the stomach wall, surgery may be required.

At the Department of Internal Medicine of Centro Médico ABC, we offer medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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