Is a duodenal ulcer stage II severe?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Stage 2 duodenal ulcer is not considered severe as it indicates that the patient is in the healing phase; thus, it is generally not very serious. Typically, patients in stage 2 can be cured with appropriate medical treatment. The main causes of duodenal ulcers include infection by Helicobacter pylori and the use of certain drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa, such as corticosteroids, anti-rheumatic drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If a patient with a duodenal ulcer is found to have a Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment involves a two-week quadruple therapy containing bismuth to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, while promptly discontinuing any drugs that are irritating to the gastric mucosa.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What is the best treatment for duodenal ulcers?

The main symptoms of duodenal ulcer include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, poor appetite, and indigestion. A duodenal ulcer can be diagnosed through a gastroscopy, which reveals the presence of an ulcer in the duodenum. The primary cause of duodenal ulcers is infection by Helicobacter pylori, hence a Carbon-14 breath test is recommended to confirm the presence of H. pylori infection. Roughly 90%-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers are infected with H. pylori. Another common cause is the digestion of the stomach itself by stomach acid and pepsin. Treatment primarily involves eradicating H. pylori, suppressing acid, protecting the stomach, enhancing gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, with the treatment duration being about six weeks.

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Written by Wang Li Wei
Gastroenterology
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Is a duodenal frost-like ulcer serious?

The frost-like ulcers in the duodenal bulb are not severe. They refer to relatively superficial ulcers in the duodenum that will heal quickly. To shorten the healing duration of duodenal frost-like ulcers, several aspects should be considered: First, check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If this bacterium is present, it is necessary to first eradicate the bacteria with a quadruple therapy, and then treat with medications that suppress stomach acid or promote ulcer healing. Second, pay attention to the diet. It is not advisable to eat too many gas-producing foods, such as soy products or foods high in starch. Third, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Fourth, finally, treatment should be administered systematically and throughout the entire course.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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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.