Can duodenal ulcers be cured?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

Duodenal bulb ulcers are definitely treatable. Treatment is mainly through medication, with the specific approach depending on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief using traditional medicines such as proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole and lansoprazole. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, antibacterial treatment is generally needed, using either triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy; triple therapy consists of a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics, and adding bismuth forms quadruple therapy. One treatment cycle lasts two weeks, and after completing medication, Helicobacter pylori can be rechecked in one month. Additionally, it's important to maintain good dietary and living habits. If recurrent duodenal bulb ulcers cause bleeding at night, surgical treatment can typically be considered.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can duodenal ulcers be cured?

Duodenal bulb ulcers are definitely treatable. Treatment is mainly through medication, with the specific approach depending on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief using traditional medicines such as proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole and lansoprazole. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, antibacterial treatment is generally needed, using either triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy; triple therapy consists of a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics, and adding bismuth forms quadruple therapy. One treatment cycle lasts two weeks, and after completing medication, Helicobacter pylori can be rechecked in one month. Additionally, it's important to maintain good dietary and living habits. If recurrent duodenal bulb ulcers cause bleeding at night, surgical treatment can typically be considered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

Differentiation between Duodenal Ulcer and Gastric Ulcer

Duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers primarily differ in their locations: duodenal ulcers occur in the mucosa of the duodenum, whereas gastric ulcers are found in the gastric mucosa. Secondly, the characteristics of upper abdominal pain differ between the two. Pain from duodenal ulcers typically worsens when hungry and lessens after eating, whereas with gastric ulcers, pain intensifies after eating and decreases when hungry. Thirdly, the prognosis differs; gastric ulcers have a certain potential for malignant transformation, and some large ulcers may already be gastric cancer, while duodenal ulcers rarely develop into malignant tumors. It is advisable to undergo active treatment after a clear diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
43sec home-news-image

Where does a duodenal ulcer hurt?

Firstly, the common sites for duodenal ulcers are the anterior and posterior walls posterior to the bulb, as well as the area behind the duodenal bulb itself. The pain symptoms typically show a pattern. For example, the pain occurs in recurrent, cyclical episodes related to eating, manifesting as sporadic abdominal pain about 2cm above the right side of the belly button, more pronounced on an empty stomach, and alleviating after meals. Sometimes, there is also pain during the night. If the ulcer is located behind the duodenal bulb, it often causes back pain. The main cause is usually an infection with Helicobacter pylori, and eradication therapy can generally cure the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

The difference between gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are collectively known as peptic ulcers, formed under the self-digestion action of gastric acid and pepsin. Gastric ulcers are more common in middle-aged and elderly people, generally occurring at the lesser curvature of the stomach body. The pain of a gastric ulcer typically appears within an hour after eating, also known as postprandial pain, which gradually eases after one to two hours of digestion and absorption; gastric ulcers can easily lead to bleeding and perforation. Duodenal ulcers are more common in young and middle-aged adults, frequently occurring in the duodenal bulb. Typical symptoms include postprandial pain and midnight pain, which can be alleviated by using antacids. The treatment methods for gastric and duodenal ulcers are similar. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to diet in daily life, eat less spicy, greasy, and irritating food, and consume more soft, easily digestible food.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
39sec home-news-image

Is duodenal bulb inflammation an ulcer?

Duodenal bulb inflammation is not an ulcer. It refers to chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the duodenum without erosion, hence it is not a duodenal ulcer. However, if patients with duodenal bulb inflammation do not receive proper treatment and fail to pay attention to their diet, among other factors, it may potentially develop into a duodenal ulcer. Once a duodenal ulcer occurs, it could lead to potential complications such as pyloric obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, and perforation of the duodenal bulb, etc. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with duodenal bulb inflammation to seek active treatment.