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Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
About me
Hunan Provincial People's Hospital attending physician.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of common liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic diseases.
Voices
How to diagnose gastritis
Gastritis is a common disease in clinical practice, generally divided into chronic gastritis and acute gastritis. Acute gastritis is most commonly characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms of chronic gastritis vary and mainly include discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite, and even early satiety. For the diagnosis of chronic and acute gastritis, the preferred examination is gastroscopy. Gastroscopy includes both conventional and painless procedures, both aimed at examining the condition of the gastric mucosa. However, for some elderly patients, particularly those with underlying conditions like coronary heart disease, the risk associated with gastroscopy is higher. Therefore, if conventional or painless gastroscopy is not suitable for the patient, abdominal CT and upper GI barium meal can be chosen instead. After completing the gastroscopy, if chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers are diagnosed, it is advisable to further conduct tests to screen for Helicobacter pylori.
Can colitis be cured completely?
Colitis is quite common in clinical settings, especially in the gastroenterology outpatient department. Patients generally present with abdominal discomfort or abnormal stool, where the discomfort typically manifests as intermittent pain or discomfort in the lower left abdomen. Abnormal stool is characterized by an increase in frequency, a loose texture, and even a watery appearance, occurring more than three times a day. Typically, patients have mucus in their stools but no blood, and generally do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as fever or bloody stools. Treatment usually consists of two types: dietary adjustments and therapeutic remedies. It is generally advised for patients to consume easily digestible foods to maintain regular bowel movements and avoid spicy foods. Medication for colitis is symptomatic, potentially including anti-diarrheal agents, adjustments to the intestinal flora, or antispasmodic pain relief. The treatment outcomes for colitis are generally good and can often be completely curative. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can I drink yogurt with colitis?
Colitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology. The treatment generally involves two steps: first, medication treatment; second, dietary treatment. For patients with colitis, they can consume yogurt unless they have a clear allergy to yogurt or experience abdominal discomfort after consuming it. The main symptoms patients display are abdominal pain and abnormal stools, characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen or loose stools, and sometimes even fever. For these symptoms, we can choose to treat with certain medications. Antispasmodic analgesics can be added for abdominal pain, and medications to stop diarrhea or regulate the intestinal flora can be used for diarrhea. However, if there is a fever, oral anti-inflammatory drugs may be considered as needed. The diet should focus on light, liquid-based, and easy-to-digest foods, avoiding spicy foods. Of course, consuming yogurt is not a problem, so patients with colitis can eat yogurt, but not excessively, especially if they experience abdominal pain. It is suggested to reduce the amount of yogurt consumed. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
What medicine is taken for gastritis and reflux esophagitis?
Gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease are relatively common in clinical settings. Generally, medications that reduce acid production, protect the mucous membrane, and improve gastrointestinal motility can be chosen for treatment. Of course, dietary advice includes consuming clean, easily digestible foods, cultivating good living and eating habits, and avoiding overeating and binge drinking. Gastritis is more commonly seen clinically, with most patients exhibiting symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating. Esophagitis primarily presents with nausea, belching, and burning pain, leading most patients to seek treatment from a gastroenterologist. The fastest diagnosis primarily relies on gastroscopy, which can reveal congestion and edema of the esophageal and gastric mucosa, and even the formation of erosion and ulcers, ruling out diagnoses like esophageal or gastric cancer. Therefore, the treatment of gastritis and esophagitis mainly relies on medications, which are selected after a complete gastroscopy. The typical course of treatment is about four weeks. If symptoms can be controlled, the dosage can be gradually reduced to maintain the minimal effective amount. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)
Symptoms of gastric polyps
Gastric polyps are also relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Gastric polyps generally do not show symptoms, and are found in patients undergoing gastroscopic examinations or physical check-ups. Typically, gastric polyps are not large. However, a small proportion may be accompanied by abdominal discomfort, manifesting as hidden upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, belching, and so on. The treatment of gastric polyps can generally be divided into two types. For the first type, where the polyps are small, some less than 0.5 cm, regular observation can be adopted, with a gastroscopy performed every six months to a year. If the patient experiences abdominal discomfort, symptomatic treatment can be given, along with medications to protect the stomach and promote digestion. However, if the patient has multiple polyps, especially larger ones exceeding 1 cm, it is advisable to undergo a gastroscopic polypectomy, followed by regular follow-up visits. The results are generally good and there is no need for excessive concern.
Can a peptic ulcer heal itself?
Peptic ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are relatively common in clinical settings and generally have a good prognosis. For simple peptic ulcers, patients usually do not exhibit common symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloody stools, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., and these can often heal on their own. However, if a patient experiences typical upper abdominal symptoms like vomiting blood, bloody stools, or significant abdominal pain, especially pain in the lower back, it is advisable for the patient to seek timely treatment at a local hospital for further clarification. In treating this condition, a few points should be noted: First, pay attention to diet and rest, it’s advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol. Second, if peptic ulcers are suspected, one might consider using supplementary oral medications, such as antacids or gastroprotective drugs etc., which generally lead to a good prognosis. Of course, if the patient does not exhibit any special symptoms, regular observation may suffice.
What to eat with esophagitis?
For patients with esophagitis, it is recommended that they eat an easily digestible, clean diet, but they should eat smaller, more frequent meals and not overeat. After eating, patients should pay attention to their body position; it is advised not to lie down flat immediately after eating. Instead, sit for half an hour or engage in light activity before lying down once any significant bloating has improved. For food, it is suggested that patients eat easily digestible, clean foods such as rice noodles and pasta, and avoid high sugar and high-fat intake. If symptoms are still pronounced, oral medications can be added, such as those that protect the intestinal mucosa, protect the stomach mucosa, and improve gastrointestinal motility. For most patients, the above treatments can provide some relief and control of symptoms like regurgitation and heartburn in esophagitis. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
What department should I go to for acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis can be treated at the Department of Gastroenterology in local hospitals. It commonly begins with abdominal pain clinically, so it is recommended that patients first visit the Department of Gastroenterology. The pain from acute pancreatitis is primarily in the upper abdomen, persistent, and may radiate to the back. Of course, some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, cessation of gas and bowel movements, fever, etc. For such patients, it is recommended to complete examinations such as blood amylase, urine amylase, and lipase. When necessary, an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan should be conducted to assess the condition of the pancreatitis. Diagnosing pancreatitis is generally straightforward. As for treatment, it mainly involves internal medicine pharmacotherapy, fasting, fluid replacement, gastrointestinal decompression, and suppressing pancreatic secretion, among others. Of course, if complications arise, surgical intervention by the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery may be required. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can bile reflux gastritis turn into cancer?
Bile reflux gastritis is relatively common in clinical practice and is generally considered a type of chronic gastritis caused by bile reflux. Clinically, it presents with abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. A complete gastroscopic examination can confirm the diagnosis, showing gastric mucosal congestion, edema, and even erosion. Generally, bile reflux gastritis does not lead to cancer; however, it is recommended that patients undergo regular follow-ups, including gastroscopy and histopathological examination, especially for middle-aged and elderly patients who have had gastric diseases for many years. If the gastric mucosa shows signs of congestion, edema, and erosion—particularly if the erosion is atypical and irregular—a biopsy is recommended to rule out cancer. Thus, while bile reflux gastritis generally does not become cancerous, it is advisable for elderly patients to have regular follow-ups with gastroscopy and histopathological exams, typically every six months to a year.
Do stomach polyps need treatment?
The treatment of gastric polyps generally depends on the size and number of the polyps. If the gastric polyp is relatively small, conservative treatment and regular follow-up are usually sufficient. If there is no change in the polyp during regular gastroscopy follow-ups, we generally do not need to intervene. However, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if they are larger than 1 centimeter, we recommend that patients undergo timely endoscopic treatment. Typically, endoscopic removal is sufficient. In fact, gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, and most gastric polyps are benign lesions. Prompt endoscopic removal is usually sufficient. Most patients may not have specific discomforts, such as abdominal pain, etc. Gastric polyps are often found incidentally during gastroscopy or physical examinations. Therefore, for the diagnosis of gastric polyps, we mainly rely on gastroscopy.