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Peptic Ulcer Disease (Ulcers)

What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?

Peptic ulcer disease occurs when the stomach acid penetrates the stomach or intestinal lining and causes ulcers, an often painful sore in the lining. An estimated 4 million Americans have peptic ulcer disease, and one in 10 patients will experience the disease during his or her lifetime.

When a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects your stomach lining by living in or on it, it can cause an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. The ulcer can cause abdominal pain and, in some cases, bleeding.

 

What Are The Causes of Peptic Ulcers?

Most ulcers are associated with an infection with a bacteria called H. pylori. Ulcers are not caused by eating spicy foods or stress. It is not known how the H. pylori bacteria is transmitted, but it may spread from person to person through fecal-oral or oral-oral routes. It may also be transmitted by contaminated water sources.

Another common cause of peptic ulcer disease is the regular use of pain medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, and celecoxib. People typically take NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation. Frequent or long-term use of NSAIDs, especially among older persons, can increase a person’s risk of developing an ulcer. Rarely, Ulcers can form as a result of hypersecretion of acid.

 

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer?

The most common symptom of an ulcer is a burning pain in your stomach between your breastbone and your belly button.

  • You will often feel this pain when your stomach is empty, between meals generally, but it can occur at any time.
  • The pain will last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and may sometimes wake you in the middle of the night.
  • Stomach pain is often reduced by food, fluids or taking antacids.

While not as common as stomach pain, other symptoms include:

  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • Blood in the stool.
  • Loss of appetite.

 

How Are Peptic Ulcers Diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, one of several tests can be done to determine if you are infected with H. pylori, such as a simple breath, blood or stool test. An upper endoscopy is the most accurate test to determine if you have an ulcer. This procedure involves passing a small flexible tube through your mouth and into the stomach. The tube has a camera inside that can detect ulcers and allows biopsies to be taken to check for the presence of the infection. The procedure is usually performed under sedation so it is painless.

An alternative test is an X-ray test called an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series. The patient drinks a contrast liquid called barium, a thick, white, milkshake-like liquid. Barium coats the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, and makes them visualization easier on X-rays. The radiologist will look for ulcers, scar tissue or areas where something is blocking the normal \ path of food through the digestive system.

 

What Are Possible Treatments For Stomach Ulcers?

Treatment for H. pylori infection usually consists of taking two antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole or clarithromycin), a medication that contains bismuth, and another medicine that reduces the acid in the stomach. Generally, antibiotic therapy is given for one to two weeks. During the treatment, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes should be avoided, as they inhibit ulcer healing. Once the medicine has eliminated the ulcer, there is a 90 percent chance that the disease is completely cured.

 

When is Surgery Necessary?

With proper treatment, surgery is usually not necessary. However, if an ulcer fails to heal, if there are bleeding complications, or if a perforation (hole) or obstruction in the stomach develops, surgery is usually indicated. Fortunately, surgical therapy is rarely needed because of the efficacy of medical treatment.

 

What Are The Risks If Peptic Ulcer Disease Is Left Untreated?

Untreated, the ulcer can literally create a hole in the stomach or intestinal lining (perforation). Chronic inflammation from an ulcer can cause stomach tissue swelling and scarring. Over time, this scarring may close the outlet of the stomach, preventing food from passing into the small intestine and causing vomiting and weight loss. In severe cases, ulcer complications can lead to death.

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Meet Jennifer Bonheur, MD

Dr. Jennifer Bonheur is a board-certified gastroenterologist who loves her work and values her relationships with her patients. As a female gastroenterologist, she strives to connect and treat the patient and not simply the illness. Dr. Bonheur offers specialized care in gastroenterology and therapeutic endoscopy. Together with her staff, she is committed to providing the highest quality medical care in a comfortable, professional and personalized environment. Learn More »