How large does a duodenal ulcer have to be to be considered severe?

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 06, 2024

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

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.

home-news-image

Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 3sec

home-news-image

Can you eat garlic with a duodenal ulcer?

Common symptoms of duodenal ulcer include stomach pain, bloating, burping, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. The pain typically becomes more noticeable when hungry and lessens after eating. This pattern of pain is a characteristic manifestation. By performing endoscopy, defects can be seen in the duodenal mucosa. Treatment involves acid suppression, stomach protection, and promotion of gastric motility, with a particular emphasis on dietary adjustments. It is important to avoid smoking and alcohol, as well as spicy, fried, barbecue, and other irritating foods. Garlic, being an irritant, should not be consumed by those with duodenal ulcers. A diet consisting of easily digestible and mild foods is recommended, such as porridge, soup, noodles, or very tenderly cooked meats, which can assist in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.

home-news-image

Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

59sec

home-news-image

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.)

home-news-image

Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 9sec

home-news-image

What are the symptoms of duodenal ulcers?

The main symptoms of duodenal ulcers include upper abdominal bloating, burping, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of the upper abdominal pain associated with duodenal ulcers is that the pain intensifies when hungry and decreases after eating. In terms of treatment, the main approach includes acid suppression to protect the stomach, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the gastric mucosa, with the treatment course lasting about six weeks. Additionally, a Carbon-14 breath test is necessary to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, as Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as the most important cause of peptic ulcers. If the Helicobacter pylori infection is positive, a 14-day treatment targeting Helicobacter pylori is required, using a regimen of a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent.

home-news-image

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

39sec

home-news-image

What position should be taken for duodenal ulcer hematemesis?

Patients with duodenal ulcers, if vomiting blood occurs, are advised to slightly elevate their lower limbs, position their heads lower, and lie on their side. Because when patients with duodenal ulcers vomit blood, it indicates a relatively large amount of bleeding. Elevating the lower limbs slightly can effectively promote the return of blood from the lower limbs, ensuring the blood supply to vital organs, and lying on the side helps prevent the possibility of choking following vomiting. Once vomiting blood due to a duodenal ulcer occurs, an urgent gastroscopy is required, and hemostatic treatment should be carried out under gastroscopy.