Stomach Ulcer Diagnosis

As a part of the normal digestion process, the stomach secretes certain acidic enzymes to help break down the complex food molecules to simpler form. To protect from these juices, there is a protective mucosal lining on the inner wall of the stomach and duodenum. In case the mucosal lining is not working properly, the enzymes slowly erode the stomach wall. Over a period of time, it leads to a condition called stomach ulcer. Early diagnosis of this condition is imperative to avoid future medical complications. Before we jump to peptic ulcer diagnosis, let's take a look at the symptoms that will help in identifying the problems with this type of ulcer.

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

The term 'peptic ulcer' is used to define ulcerative problems in both the stomach and duodenum. Since it is usually asymptomatic, peptic ulcer diagnosis in the early stages is very difficult. Many people do not have distinctive symptoms, until it is too late to reverse stomach ulcer. A common complaint with this health condition is pain in the upper part of the abdomen, just underneath the sternum. Other symptoms are:

• Frequent regurgitation of foods
• Heartburn like feeling
• Bitter or unusual taste in mouth
• Tendency to vomit after eating
• Sharp abdominal pain
• Problem in swallowing food
• Blood tinge in vomit or stools

Diagnosis and Treatment

Though peptic ulcers affect people of both genders, it is more common in women than in men. A practical solution to avoid worsening of the condition is going for diagnosis at the earliest possible date. Once in the hospital or doctor's clinic, the physician will examine the patient's symptoms and go through his/her medical history. If suspected for stomach ulcer, following diagnostic methods will be conducted to rule out other health conditions:

Endoscopy Procedure
Gastrointestinal endoscopy or gastroscopy is a therapeutic procedure that involves visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract. A small, flexible tube, called catheter is introduced with a telescopic camera in the stomach portion (via mouth). As it traverses through the digestive tract, the doctor visualize the inside structure of the stomach on a computer display. This way, any abnormality in the stomach and duodenum area can be identified easily. During the procedure, sample of the stomach lining is collected for laboratory testing.

Helicobacter pylori Test
Helicobacter pylori infection is found to be a major cause. In short, majority of the patients with stomach ulcer symptoms have infection by this bacteria strain. Taking this into consideration, H. pylori test is used as a diagnostic tool. Samples collected from the stomach lining are directly viewed under sophisticated microscope or they are cultured for identifying presence of bacteria.

Barium Enema Procedure
Another commonly performed test for peptic ulcer diagnosis is barium contrast X-ray test. In this process, barium is injected in the stomach and duodenum portions, after which imaging is done. White barium liquid creates a contrasting effect, thus giving clear X-ray images. Barium enema procedure is useful for identifying the size and severity of stomach ulcer. Also, duodenum ulcers that are difficult to observe by means of endoscopy are diagnosed with barium contrast X-rays.

The best treatment is to prevent onset of the problem. An individual having a poor diet plan and those who have a family history of this condition may develop stomach ulcer with time. Likewise, some people are at a higher risk of getting this painful condition than others. Factors that increase the probability of causing this ulcer are excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, medicine side effects, chronic medical condition and stress.

Identify stomach ulcer causes and consider consulting a doctor, if you suspect it. According to medical reports, approximately 4 million Americans are diagnosed with stomach ulcer every year. More than 5,000 people die of complications caused by ulcer. The condition can be managed, only if timely diagnosis is done. So, do not delay in getting medical attention for peptic ulcer diagnosis at the first signs of ulcer. If diagnostic tests are positive, the doctor will suggest a well-planned diet, lifestyle changes and medication for effectual management of the condition.