A lot of people suffer from the peptic ulcer condition, and it’s a very common condition that might lead to severe complications if not managed.

Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of a part of the digestive system, most often in the stomach or duodenum. The digestive tract is fully lined with a mucus lining to protect it from the gastric acid, but in the case of a peptic ulcer, a problem occurs in this lining, and that makes the acid corrode, which leads to ulcers.

Peptic ulcer is very common and might occur at any age, but it’s more common in middle-aged adults, especially males.

Types of peptic ulcer

• Duodenal ulcers: account for about 80% of cases.
• Stomach ulcers: account for about 20% of cases.
• Esophageal ulcer: it occurs due to chronic acid reflux.
• Jejunal ulcer: the jejunum is the middle part of the small intestines, and an ulcer manifests there as a side effect of a surgery that connects the stomach with the jejunum.

Causes of peptic ulcer

There are two main causes for peptic ulcers:

• Helicobacter pylori bacteria: These bacteria exist inside the digestive system in about half the people worldwide, and in most cases, they don’t cause problems. However, if these bacteria grow more than normal, they disrupt the balance of the beneficial bacteria inside the digestive system, and that causes an inflammation in the lining, which, in turn, leads to a peptic ulcer in some cases.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and others): excessive use of these drugs causes irritation and inflammation in the lining, which might lead to a peptic ulcer.

Some other causes:

• Ischemia.
• Some infections.
• Extreme stress.
• Stomach cancer.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Zollinger-Ellison disease.
• Chemical or radiation therapy.

Some factors make peptic ulcers worse, such as smoking, alcohol, and spicy food.

Symptoms of peptic ulcer

In numerous cases, peptic ulcer doesn’t cause clear symptoms. The most common symptoms include the following:

• Epigastric pain (the upper stomach).
• Dyspepsia.
• In the case of a gastric ulcer, the pain usually occurs after eating, while in a duodenal ulcer, the pain decreases after eating and increases after 2-3 hours of eating.

Some other symptoms:

• Bloating.
• Heartburn.
• Belching.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.

Complications of peptic ulcer

In a bleeding peptic ulcer:

• Bloody vomit.
• Blood in the stool.
• Dark stools.
• Dizziness and faintness.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Paleness.

In gastrointestinal perforations:

• Sudden and sharp abdominal pain.
• Fever and chills.
• Swollen abdomen.

Peptic ulcers might also cause blockage in the intestines and an increased risk of stomach cancer.

Diagnosis of peptic ulcer

• Stool test.
• Blood tests.
• Endoscopy.
• Imaging tests.
• Biopsy in some cases.

Treatment of peptic ulcer

The treatment depends on the causes and includes:

• Antibiotics.
• Antacids.
• Avoid taking NSAIDs.
• Avoid smoking and spicy food.
• Surgery in some cases, like unstopping bleeding and perforations.