What should I do if a duodenal ulcer causes diarrhea?

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 14, 2024

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Patients with duodenal ulcers who experience diarrhea should undergo a routine stool examination to rule out diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. If there is no obvious organic disease in the intestines, the diarrhea associated with duodenal ulcers may be due to excessive secretion of stomach acid. It is advisable to consider using medications that suppress the secretion of stomach acid, such as proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole or lansoprazole, etc. You can also use aluminum magnesium carbonate, sucralfate, etc., to protect the stomach lining. For patients with abdominal distension, medications like mosapride can be used to promote gastric motility treatment.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

1min 1sec

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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 Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 27sec

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Symptoms of duodenal ulcer

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 Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

1min 1sec

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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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

48sec

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Is a duodenal ulcer stage II severe?

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

54sec

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Symptoms and Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer

Duodenal bulb ulcers often manifest as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, which relieves after eating, accompanied by nocturnal pain. Symptoms also include acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, etc. If there is bleeding, symptoms may include black stools and vomiting blood. Treatment depends on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, antibacterial treatment is required, commonly using a triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy for two weeks. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, generally using proton pump inhibitors and gastroprotective medications such as bismuth agents. Additionally, it is important to develop good dietary and lifestyle habits to prevent recurrence.