Diagnosis and Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Diagnosis and Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Upper gastrointestinal barium X-ray : This investigation can detect some ulcers, of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

Endoscopy : This procedure is used commonly these days. In this procedure the doctor can view the upper digestive tract and identify the ulcer. If an ulcer is found, small tissue samples ( biopsy) from near the ulcer may be removed if cancer is suspected. A biopsy can also identify the presence of H. pylori in the stomach lining. 

Tests to determine if the cause of ulcer is H. pylori infection : 

Blood test : This test checks for the presence of H. pylori antibodies. A disadvantage of this test is that it sometimes can't differentiate between past exposure and current infection. 

Breath test : This procedure uses a radioactive carbon atom to detect. H. pylori. The advantage of the breath test is that it can monitor the effectiveness of the treatment used to eradicate. H. pylori, as it becomes negative when the bacteria have been killed or eradicated. 

Stool antigen test : This test checks for H. pylori in stool samples. It's useful to diagnose. H. pylori infection to monitor the success of treatment. 

Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Internal bleeding : This occurs when a blood vessel is eroded by the ulcer. 

Perforation and peritonitis : This occurs when the ulcer penetrates the complete thickness (perforation) of the stomach or duodenum and the contents leak into the abdominal cavity. The covering of the abdominal cavity then gets infected ( peritonitis). 

Stenosis : Peptic ulcers can also produce scar tissues that can obstruct passage of food through the digestive tract.

Peptic Ulcer Disease
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease
Causes and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Diagnosis and Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease