Stomach secretes copious amounts of acid and pepsin for the breakdown and digestion of food. In order for the acid and pepsin it secretes not to damage the stomach’s own surface, various organisms have protection mechanisms. An infectious bacterium called Helicobacter pylori or pain relievers causes insufficiency in the mechanisms that protect the stomach surface, and as a result, deterioration in the integrity of the stomach surface (ulcers) occurs. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are quite common, especially in our country where Helicobacter Pylori infection is common. It is known that one out of every 10 people has peptic ulcer disease at some point in their life.
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer?
Gastric and duodenal ulcers cause pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the back. These pains can be in the form of burning in some patients, scraping in some patients and sometimes cramping. Sometimes, complaints such as heartburn, feeling of fullness in the stomach, weight loss can be seen without any pain. Peptic ulcers do not always cause complaints in the patient. Sometimes, when there is no complaint, the disease may occur with complications such as stomach bleeding or, rarely, gastric perforation.
How is peptic ulcer diagnosed?
The definitive diagnosis of gastric and duodenal ulcers is made by gastroscopy. In cases where gastroscopy is not possible, barium stomach duodenum radiography can also help the diagnosis, but superficial and small ulcers can be missed with this method. In addition, every patient with gastric and duodenal ulcers should be investigated for Helicobacter Pylori infection.
Peptic ulcer treatment;
In patients with ulcer disease due to Helicobacter pylori microbe, first of all, triple therapy with 2 separate antibiotics and a drug that removes stomach acid (Omeprol, Lansor, Nexium, Pariet etc.) should be performed for 7-14 days. Afterwards, the treatment should be continued for 4-8 weeks with drugs that eliminate stomach acid. In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, 4-8 weeks of treatment with drugs that only eliminate stomach acid is sufficient. If it is used in cases where ulcers occur due to painkillers (Aspirin, rheumatism drugs, etc.), it should be discontinued if possible during the ulcer treatment.
Peptic ulcer and diet
Scientific studies have now shown that strict ulcer diets applied in the past do not contribute to the treatment of ulcer disease. Three things that ulcer patients should stay away from are alcohol, smoking and pain medications (aspirin, voltaren, apranax, endol etc.). It is well known that they play a role in ulcer development and delay ulcer healing. Foods that bother the patient especially when they eat can be avoided. These patients are recommended to eat 3 meals a day regularly.
What can happen if peptic ulcer is not treated?
Ulcer disease, which has not received appropriate treatment, may cause complications such as bleeding, perforation, and stenosis. Most ulcer bleeding can be treated endoscopically. In the development of ulcer-related stenosis, some of the patients can be treated with drugs and some of them endoscopic treatment. However, long-lasting (chronic) ulcer strictures require surgical intervention. If a perforation has occurred in the stomach or intestinal wall due to ulcer, the only treatment is surgery.
Can peptic ulcer turn into cancer?
No gastric and duodenal ulcers are not at risk of developing into cancer. However, since gastric cancers can also be in the form of ulcers, it may be possible to misdiagnose from the beginning. For this reason, in the presence of gastric ulcer, a piece of the ulcer must be taken (biopsy) and sent to pathology and the healing of the ulcer must be confirmed by endoscopy within 2 months. Benign peptic ulcer complications do not include cancer.
