What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
This refers to open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach or upper portion of your small intestines (Duodenum).
Risk factors:
Infection with Helicobacter Pylori (90%).
Drugs like NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac) and Steroids (e.g. prednisolone, dexamethasone.)
Smoking.
Alcohol intake.
Stress.
Spicy foods.
Types:
Duodenal Ulcer
Symptoms:
Upper abdomen or lower chest burning or sharp pain typically before meals or at night.
Relieved pain by eating or drinking.
Gastric Ulcer
This occur mainly in the elderly on the lesser curvature.
Symptoms:
Upper abdomen or lower chest burning or sharp pain related to meals.
No symptoms.
General Clinical Features:
Upper abdomen or lower chest burning or sharp pain often related to hunger, specific foods (spicy foods, acidic) or time of the day.
Bloating or Belching.
Easy fullness after meals.
Heart burn.
Retrosternal pain.
Nausea or vomiting.
Loss of appetite.
Black sticky stool (If bleeding).
Complications:
Internal bleeding.
Perforation of the stomach wall.
Intestinal obstruction.
Gastric cancer predisposition.
Investigations/Diagnosis:
Serum H-Pylori.
Stool H-Pylori.
Special camera test to look inside the stomach or intestines (Endoscopy).
Prevention:
Practice hand washing to prevent infection by H-Pylori from person to person or through food or water.
Boil drinking water of food.
Avoid medication e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.
Paracetamol (Panadol) is a safe pain killer to use in PUD.
Have timely meals.
NB: If you have above symptoms, seek medical advice.
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