Duodenal Ulcers

In common, terminology an ulcer is defined as the sore or boils on the skin. Medically it is the cut on the mucous membrane, which is defined as a thin issue that lies on the inner surface of the skin openings. The causes for ulcers infection are many. Most important among them are bacteria and general weakness. The healing process of the ulcers is also very time-consuming. The digestive part of the human body is mostly affected by the ulcers. Depending upon the area affected by ulcers, they are called gastric ulcers, peptic ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

What Is It?

A duodenum is called the lining in the upper part of the small intestine, just below the stomach. Ulcer can affect the stomach, duodenum, gullet or throat. When duodenum is affected it is called so. The stomach acid and digestive juices eat away the lining of the stomach.

In addition to this, H. pylori bacteria are the chief causer. Anti-inflammatory medicines and cigarettes are other causes. It is hereditary in nature. It has been found that in the case of men of over 50 years of age the chances of occurrences are four times greater than the women of same age group. It can be diagnosed by means of barium X-ray or endoscope treatment. The complications may lead to bleeding, perforation and gastric obstruction.

Symptoms

The symptoms occur in the form of heartburn, stomach pain, weight gain and a burning sensation at the back of the throat. Normally it occurs two or three hours after meals. In most of the cases, it can cause pain to the patient at midnight and it persists for two to three hours. Apart from this, the followings are the less common symptoms.

Belching
Belching is releasing of gas from the stomach through mouth making loud noise in the throat. The outgoing gases create lot of inconvenience to the patient.

Nausea
Nausea is the unsettling feeling in the stomach. It creates an urge to vomit.

Vomiting
Vomiting is the process of emptying the stomach content through mouth. Normally vomiting occurs when the person has digestive problem.

Poor appetite
Poor appetite is the absence of desire for food. It is good symptom for identifying the illness.

Loss of weight
Loss of weight relates to decrease in the weight of the body regularly in spite of standard diet. People afflicted undergo weight loss because of poor appetite.

Feeling tired and weak
Feeling tired and weak is becoming worn out. The poor appetite leads to poor intake of food, which is not digested because of its presence.

Treatment

The doctors seriously analyze the symptoms before prescribing any medicine. In addition to this, the patient's medical history is also carefully verified before actually starting the treatment. The treatment includes GI X-ray, blood tests, stool test.

In the GI x-ray tests, the patient is asked to swallow liquid barium to identify the ulcer on X-ray. Endoscopy is the one common treatment which is resorted to for ulcer related problems. In this type of treatment the upper digestive tract is verified. Biopsy is another form of treatment in which one piece of tissue is removed during the process of Endoscopy, and tested by sending it to laboratory. Ulcer symptoms include Hemorrhage, Penetration, Perforation and obstruction. These complications may arise depending upon the severity of the ulcer. The treatment include administration of antibiotics to kill the H. Pylori bacteria, use of antacids for laying a protective barrier over the site of ulcer and reducing the generation of acid inside the stomach. In ex-ordinary cases of ulcer resulting in hemorrhage, obstruction etc, and surgery may be needed for treatment.

It can be treated completely. But recurrence of the disease can be avoided if only the affected person cooperates by not consuming alcohol, by non-smoking tobacco products and avoiding inflammatory medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen etc, for other treatments. Duodenal ulcer is better avoided by prevention.