Symptoms of duodenal ulcer

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Duodenal ulcers are relatively common in clinical practice and are a frequent condition in gastroenterology. Duodenal ulcers are generally more prevalent among middle-aged individuals, with symptoms most commonly including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The abdominal pain typically manifests as upper abdominal pain, usually hunger pain which often improves after eating. It typically presents as long-term, chronic episodes over extended periods and can also occur at night as hunger pain. Therefore, for some typical patients, especially middle-aged individuals, upper abdominal pain should raise concerns about duodenal ulcers. If a patient exhibits symptoms other than abdominal pain, such as black stools, this could suggest bleeding associated with duodenal ulcers, potentially leading to black stools or even vomiting blood. Hence, it is advised that if a patient has symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding along with abdominal pain, consideration should be given to the possibility of a bleeding duodenal ulcer. It is recommended that such patients undergo thorough gastroscopic examinations to clarify the diagnosis further.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer

The difference between duodenitis and duodenal ulcer is as follows: A diagnosis of duodenitis under endoscopy indicates inflammation in the duodenal bulb or descending part, featuring patchy congestion or spotted, erosive conditions identified during the endoscopic procedure, which lead to the diagnosis of duodenitis. If isolated or multiple ulcerative lesions are found in a certain area, it is diagnosed as a duodenal ulcer. Benign ulcers typically have clear boundaries, with surfaces covered with white moss or blood scabs, and the surrounding area may exhibit redness, concentrated mucosa, among other characteristics. Depending on these different presentations, there are different stages of the disease. Both duodenitis and duodenal ulcers are considered benign lesions.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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What medicine is taken for duodenal ulcer?

Duodenal bulb ulcer, its main cause should be related to Helicobacter pylori infection. In this case, first check for Helicobacter pylori infection, generally using the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test. If there is Helicobacter pylori infection, then formal antibiotic treatment is required. For example, a proton pump inhibitor combined with two antibiotics, secondly, bismuth preparations, constitute the standard quadruple therapy, with a treatment duration of 10 to 14 days. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient. For example, suppressing stomach acid, protecting the gastric mucosa, etc. At the same time, attention should be paid to regular dietary habits, quitting smoking and alcohol, and avoiding excessive fatigue, etc. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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How large does a duodenal ulcer have to be to be considered severe?

There is no specific size to determine the severity of a duodenal ulcer. However, ulcers with a diameter greater than 1.5 cm are generally considered large. In such cases, strong acid-suppressing medications are needed for treatment, along with drugs to protect the gastric mucosa. Additionally, it is necessary to test for Helicobacter pylori infection. If the infection is positive, a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy should be used for two weeks to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. The choice of specific medications, as well as their dosages and administration, should be under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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The manifestations of duodenal ulcer.

Duodenal ulcers can cause symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of upper abdominal pain in duodenal ulcers typically lessens after eating and worsens when hungry. A gastroscope can reveal defects in the duodenal mucosa, confirming a diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. About 90%-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers are infected with Helicobacter pylori, therefore, a Carbon-14 breath test is recommended to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If the infection is positive, a 14-day eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is required, involving a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. Additionally, treatment for duodenal ulcers includes acid suppression, gastric protection, enhancing gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa. The treatment typically lasts about six weeks.

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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.