Peptic Ulcers Quick Overview
- A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the upper digestive tract. There are two types of peptic ulcers, a gastric ulcer, which forms in the lining of the stomach, and a duodenal ulcer, which forms in the upper part of the small intestine.
- Causes of peptic ulcers include
- the bacterium named Helicobacter pylori (H pylori),
-
aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
- alcohol,
- physical or emotional stress,
- caffeine,
- smoking, or
- radiation therapy.
- Some people may have no symptoms of an ulcer, but common symptoms include
- abdominal pain,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss, and
- in severe cases, bleeding in the stomach or duodenum.
- Treatment of a peptic ulcer depends on the cause. Treatments include lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs; acid-blocking medications; medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum; and "triple-therapy" or "dual-therapy" regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori.
- Surgery may be performed in some cases that do not respond to medical treatment.
- The prognosis for peptic ulcers is generally good, and most individuals will improve with the appropriate medicine.
- Complications of peptic ulcers include bleeding, perforation, and obstruction.
What is a peptic ulcer?
In the digestive system, an ulcer is an area of open sores where tissue has been destroyed by the gastric juices and stomach acid. Peptic ulcer disease is a general term for ulcers that occur in the lining of the stomach or of the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine).- A peptic ulcer is an erosion or sore in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
- The mucous membrane lining the digestive tract erodes and causes a gradual breakdown of tissue.
- This breakdown causes a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle part of the belly (abdomen).
- Although most peptic ulcers are small, they can cause a considerable amount of discomfort.
- In the United States, about 10% of the population will develop a duodenal ulcer at some point in their lives.
- Peptic ulcer disease affects about 4.6 million people annually.
- The occurrence of peptic ulcer disease is similar in men and women. Approximately 11%-14% of men and 8%-11% of women will develop peptic ulcer disease in their lifetime.
- The mortality rate of peptic ulcer disease is approximately one death per 10,000 cases. The mortality rate due to ulcer hemorrhage is approximately 5%.
The good news is that we have learned a lot about stomach ulcers in the past 20 years and effective therapies are now available.
What causes peptic ulcers?
When you eat, your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food.- The food is partially digested in the stomach and then moves on to the duodenum to continue the process.
- Peptic ulcers occur when the acid and enzyme overcome the defense mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract and erode the mucosal wall.
- Now it is understood that people with ulcers have an imbalance between acid and pepsin coupled with the digestive tract's inability to protect itself from these harsh substances.
- Research done in the 1980s showed that ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium named Helicobacter pylori, usually called H pylori.
- Not everyone who gets an ulcer is infected with H pylori. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause ulcers if taken regularly.
- Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen), and newer anti-inflammatory medications (such as celecoxib [Celebrex])
- Alcohol
- Stress: physical (severe injuries or burns, major surgery)
- Caffeine
- Cigarette smoking
- Radiation therapy:-used for diseases such as cancer
- Elderly people with conditions such as arthritis are especially vulnerable.
- People who have had prior ulcers or intestinal bleeding are at a higher-than-normal risk.
- If a person takes these medications regularly, alternatives should be discussed with a health-care professional. This is especially true if the affected individual has an upset stomach or heartburn after taking these medications.
- The stool contaminates food or water (usually through poor personal hygiene).
- The bacteria in the stool make their way into the digestive tracts of people who consume this food or water.
- This is called fecal-oral transmission and is a common way for infections to spread.
- Many people who are exposed to the bacteria never develop ulcers.
- People who are newly infected usually develop symptoms within a few weeks.
- Researchers are trying to discover what is different about the people who develop ulcers.
- It is more common in older adults, although it is thought that many people are infected in childhood and carry the bacteria throughout their lifetimes.
- It is also more common in lower socioeconomic classes because these households tend to have more people living together, sharing bathrooms and kitchen facilities.
- African Americans and Hispanic Americans are more likely to have the bacteria than Caucasians and Asian Americans.
Ulcers can be linked with other medical conditions.
- People who worry excessively are usually thought to have a condition called generalized anxiety disorder. This disorder has been linked with peptic ulcers.
- A rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome causes peptic ulcers as well as tumors in the pancreas and duodenum.
What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer?
Ulcers do not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, a serious complication such as bleeding is the first sign of an ulcer.The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is abdominal pain.
- The pain is usually in the upper middle part of the abdomen, above the belly button (navel) and below the breastbone.
- The ulcer pain can feel like burning, or gnawing, and it may go through to the back.
- Pain often comes several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty.
- The pain is often worse at night and early morning.
- It can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
- The ulcer pain may be relieved by food, antacids, or vomiting.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of weight
- Vomiting of blood or dark material that looks something like coffee grounds: This is an emergency and warrants an immediate visit to an emergency department.
- Blood in the stool or black, tarry, sticky-looking stools
- The usual result is low blood cell count (anemia).
- The symptoms of anemia are tiredness (fatigue), lack of energy (lethargy), weakness, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and pale skin (pallor).
What kind of doctor treats peptic ulcers?
If you suspect you may have a peptic ulcer, you may first be diagnosed by your family practitioner or internist. Children or teenagers may see a pediatrician. For further treatment you will likely be referred to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in disorders of the digestive tract. If you have an emergency such as vomiting or severe abdominal pain you will be seen by an emergency medicine specialist in an emergency room. In the rare case where surgery is needed, you may see a general surgeon.When should I seek medical care if I think I have a peptic ulcer?
- If you have burning pain in your upper stomach that is relieved by eating or taking antacids, call a health-care professional for an appointment. Don't assume you have an ulcer. Certain other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
- If you vomit blood or have other signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, go to an emergency department right away. Peptic ulcers can cause massive bleeding, which requires blood transfusion or surgery.
- Severe abdominal pain suggests perforation or tearing of an ulcer. This is an emergency that may require surgery to fix a hole in your stomach.
- Vomiting and abdominal pain also can be a sign of an obstruction, another complication of peptic ulcers. This also may require emergency surgery.
How is a peptic ulcer diagnosed?
To confirm a person has an ulcer a diagnostic imaging test will usually be ordered. The two most widely used tests are:- Upper GI series (UGI): This is a type of X-ray. The patient is given a chalky liquid to drink that increases the contrast on the X-ray, making certain features easier to see. Because this liquid contains barium, this test is sometimes called a barium swallow.
- Endoscopy (EGD): An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end. The patient is given a mild sedative, and then the tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach. The doctor can see the lining of the stomach to diagnose a peptic ulcer. Tiny samples of the tissue will be taken (biopsy), which are examined under a microscope.
- It is important to be certain about this, because treatment of the H pylori is likely to heal the ulcer.
- Ulcers caused by H pylori are treated differently than ulcers caused by medications.
- Blood tests: These tests detect the bacteria by measuring antibodies to the bacteria. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to defend against an "invader" such as H pylori. The blood test is inexpensive and can be done in a medical office. The down side is that it can be positive in a person who had an ulcer in the past and was already treated for it.
- Breath test: This test detects H pylori by measuring carbon dioxide in the breath of a person who has drunk a special liquid. H pylori bacteria break down the liquid, increasing the amount of carbon in the blood. The body gets rid of this carbon by breathing it out as carbon dioxide. This test is more accurate than the blood test but is more difficult to carry out. It is often used after treatment to check whether H pylori bacteria have been eradicated.
- Tissue tests: These tests are used only if an endoscopic biopsy has been done, because a sample of tissue from the stomach is needed to detect the bacteria.
What is the treatment for a peptic ulcer?
The choice of treatment depends on whether or not the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori. Correct diagnosis is key to whether a treatment works or not. If the bacteria are the cause, treatment focuses on killing the infection. Regardless of whether the bacteria are the cause, reducing acid in the stomach is another important focus of treatment.What home remedies help soothe peptic ulcer symptoms?
Home care for peptic ulcers often centers on neutralizing the stomach acid.- Don't smoke, and avoid coffee and alcohol. These habits increase gastric acid production and weaken the mucosal barrier of the GI tract promoting ulcer formation and slowing ulcer healing.
- Don't take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Acetaminophen is a good substitute for some conditions. If acetaminophen doesn't help, talk to your health-care professional about alternatives.
- If your symptoms are mild, try an over-the-counter antacid or nonprescription histamine (H2) blocker to neutralize stomach acid. Usually stronger prescription medications are needed.
- At one time a bland diet and avoidance of spicy or greasy foods was recommended.
- We now know diet has little effect on ulcers. In some people, however, certain foods seem to aggravate stomach ulcer symptoms. Avoid eating any foods that aggravate symptoms.
What is the medical treatment for peptic ulcers?
The following treatments are recommended for ulcers:- Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs
- Acid-blocking medications
- Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum
- "Triple-therapy" or "dual-therapy" regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori
- Triple therapy: The combination of bismuth subsalicylate (for example, Pepto-Bismol) and the antibiotics tetracycline and metronidazole are effective in 80%-95% of people and is the current standard of therapy. All are taken as pills. The bismuth subsalicylate and tetracycline have to be taken 4 times a day and metronidazole 3 times a day. This complicated schedule is difficult for many people to follow.
-
Dual therapy: This therapy was developed as a response to the
complexity and side effects of triple therapy. It comprises 2
antibiotics, amoxicillin and metronidazole, both taken as pills 3 times a
day;
and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). This simplified schedule is
preferred by many people.
- Clarithromycin can be substituted for the 15%-25% of people whose infections are resistant to metronidazole.
- Usually a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC) is added to the treatment.
Once H pylori bacteria are eradicated from a person's digestive tract, usually it will not come back. The ulcers usually heal completely and do not return.
Treatment for bleeding ulcers depends on the severity of blood loss and includes:
- IV fluids
- Bowel rest: Bed rest and clear fluids with no food at all for a few days. This gives the ulcer a chance to start healing without being irritated.
- Nasogastric tube: Placement of a thin, flexible tube through the nose and down into the stomach. This also relieves pressure on the stomach and helps it heal.
- Urgent endoscopy or surgery, if indicated: Damaged, bleeding blood vessels can usually be cauterized with an endoscope. The endoscope has a small heating device at the end that is used to cauterize a blood vessels.
What medications are available to treat peptic ulcers?
Several types of medications are used to treat ulcers.Antacids: These nonprescription medications simply neutralize acid.
- Most include aluminum hydroxide combined with magnesium or calcium. Examples are Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and Rolaids.
- These can cause constipation, although those containing magnesium can cause diarrhea.
- These side effects are especially likely if the medications are taken regularly.
- H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid).
- They prevent production of acid by blocking histamine, a chemical that promotes acid production.
- Nonprescription strengths are available, but for most people with stomach ulcers the stronger prescription versions are needed.
- H2 blockers work very well in reducing acid and pain. (Reducing acid helps the ulcers heal.)
- They may take a few days to start having an effect.
- Treatment with H2 blockers usually takes 6-8 weeks.
- This group includes omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid), lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevacid 24-Hour), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant, Kapidex), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
- Proton pump inhibitors are even stronger than H2 blockers.
- They work by stopping the "pump" that secretes acid into the stomach.
- They are being used increasingly in triple and double regimens for infection.
- One type is very thick and sticks to the ulcer, forming a physical barrier between the ulcer and the acid. An example is sucralfate (Carafate).
- The other type increases the amount of mucus, which forms a physical barrier, and bicarbonate, which helps neutralize the acid. An example is misoprostol (Cytotec); this agent is used only for treatment of ulcers caused by medication.
- Antacids and products containing bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) also have protective effects.
- A 2 week triple therapy that includes two antibiotics and bismuth subsalicylate is the most effective regimen. It eliminates the bacteria and prevents recurrence of ulcers in 90% of people who receive this treatment. Unfortunately, triple therapy has side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, bad taste in the mouth, loose or dark stools, dizziness, and yeast infections in women.
- Any of the several 2 week dual therapy regimens are simpler to follow, have fewer side effects, and work in about 80% of people who take them.
- A newer triple therapy combining antibiotics and rabeprazole (Aciphex) works in just 1 week to eradicate H pylori.
What about surgery for a peptic ulcer?
Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person can't take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:
- Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
- Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach (the antrum). This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
- Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum (the pylorus) to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
- Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply (artery) to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.
Should I follow-up with my doctor for a peptic ulcer?
Follow the recommendations of your health-care professional.- Lifestyle changes can relieve symptoms and help the ulcer heal. Stop smoking, avoid alcohol, caffeine, and avoid aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
- Take all medications as prescribed.
- Follow up as scheduled with the health-care professional to monitor your progress and prevent complications.
Can peptic ulcers be prevented?
Peptic ulcers can be prevented by avoiding things that break down the stomach's protective barrier and increase stomach acid secretion. These include alcohol, smoking, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and caffeine.Preventing infection with H pylori is a matter of avoiding contaminated food and water and adhering to strict standards of personal hygiene. Wash hands carefully with warm water and soap every time the bathroom is used, diaper changed, and before and after preparing food.
If you need the pain relief and anti-inflammatory action of aspirin or an NSAID, you can reduce your risk of ulcers by trying the following:
- Try a different NSAID, one that is easier on the stomach.
- Reduce the dose or the number of times you take the medication.
- Substitute another medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Talk to your health*care professional about how you can protect yourself.
What's the prognosis for a person with a peptic ulcer?
- Most people with peptic ulcers get better when treated with the appropriate medicine.
- Treatment for H pylori bacteria is usually successful if medications are taken as prescribed.
- Although ulcers can cause discomfort, they are rarely life threatening.
- Ulcers can have several complications. These usually develop in people who do not receive appropriate treatment. Complications of ulcers may require emergency treatment including endoscopy or surgery. Complications may be severe and can even result in death if not treated promptly.
- Usually, this is because the blood vessel (artery) supplying the area of the ulcer has been damaged by stomach acid.
- Sometimes this is the only sign of an ulcer.
- Bleeding may be slow or fast.
- Slow bleeding is typically from a small blood vessel; the usual result is low blood count (anemia), and the symptoms are tiredness (fatigue), lethargy, and pallor.
- Fast bleeding is typically from a larger artery, and symptoms including vomiting acidified blood, which looks something like coffee grounds, or passage of bloody or black, tarry stools.
- The resulting hole in the intestine is called perforation.
- The contents of the intestine (food, bacteria, and digestive juices) can then spill out.
- These substances can injure other tissues and cause serious infection.
- If this inflammation becomes chronic (ongoing, long lasting), it can cause swelling and scarring.
- Over time, this scarring can completely block off the digestive tract.
- This blocks food from passing, causing vomiting and weight loss.
REFERENCES:
Anand, BS., MD. "Peptic Ulcer Disease." Medscape. Updated Jan 2015.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/181753-overview>
Crowe, S. E., MD. "Patient information: Peptic ulcer disease (Beyond the Basics)." UpToDate. Updated Dec 05, 2013
<http://www.uptodate.com/contents/peptic-ulcer-disease-beyond-the-basics>
Anand, BS., MD. "Peptic Ulcer Disease." Medscape. Updated Jan 2015.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/181753-overview>
Crowe, S. E., MD. "Patient information: Peptic ulcer disease (Beyond the Basics)." UpToDate. Updated Dec 05, 2013
<http://www.uptodate.com/contents/peptic-ulcer-disease-beyond-the-basics>
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