Peptic Ulcer Disease

 Peptic Ulcer DiseasePeptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic Ulcer Disease

 


 

 

 

Terms You Should Know

  • Digestion : The process of breaking down food into its simplest chemical compounds so that it can be absorbed. 

  • Duuodenum : The first portion of the small intestine, connects the stomach to the small intestine. 

  • Dyspepsia : Upper abdominal discomfort often due to disorders of the stomach, upper small intestine, biliary tract, liver or pancreas.

  • Oesophagus : The muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) and the stomach

  • Gastric : Pertaining to the stomach

  • Gastritis : Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. 

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Oesophageal irritation or inflammation, often due to stomach acid that backs up into the oesophagus. This can occur when the circular band of muscle between the oesophagus and stomach ( lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes abnormally or weakens. 

  • Heartburn : A burning sensation in the chest that results when gastric acid backs up into the oesophagus. 

  • Indigestion ; A nonspecific term that refers to upper abdominal discomfort (dyspepsia). 

  • Intestines : The portion of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the anus. 

  • Inflammation : A response to tissue injury that causes redness, swelling, and pain. 

  • Jejunum : The middle portion of the small intestine.

  •   Nausea : An unpleasant sensation in the abdomen, which may be followed by vomiting. 

  • Nonulcer dyspepsia : A common disorder in which the upper digestive tract produces symptoms such as pain, burning or discomfort in the upper abdomen, but tests fail to reveal a specific cause such as a peptic ulcer. 

  • Reflux : Backflow.

  • Regurgitation : See reflux

  • Sphincter : A circular band of muscle that opens and closes. 

  • Stomach : A muscular sac-like organ that churns and breaks food into smaller pieces. 

  • Stricture : A narrowing of a passageway. Also called stenosis. 

  • Vomit : The forceful ejection of stomach contents through the mouth. 

  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome : A condition in which one or more tumours form in the pancreas or in the upper part of the small intestine ( duodenum).. These tumours secrete the hormone gastrin, which results in excess acid production and peptic ulcer disease. 

The stomach produces hydrochloric acid. This acid helps in digestion and break down of food before it enters the small intestine (duodenum). The lining of the stomach is covered by a protective mucous layer which prevents the acid from injuring the walls of the stomach. The hydrochloric acid and a digestive enzyme pepsin, which is also present in the stomach, together cause the injury to the stomach and produce ulcers. Peptic ulcers also result from a stomach infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

Depending on their location, ulcers are known as : 


Gastric ulcers : Ulcers in the stomach


Duodenal ulcers : Ulcers develop in the first part of the small intestine ( duodenum).


Oesophageal ulcers : Ulcers in the lower section of the oesophagus. It is often associated with chronic GERD.

People can have more than one ulcer. Ulcers can develop at any age, but they are rare among teenagers and even more uncommon in children. They occur from early middle age onwards ( 30 and 50 years). With gastric ulcers being more common among the elderly people ( over 60 years). Peptic ulcers affect both men and women. Duodenal ulcers occur more frequently in men than women; gastric ulcers develop more often in women than men. 

Causes and Symptoms
Diagnosis and Complication
Treatment