Description- chronic injury of the GASTRIC and DUODENAL MUCOSA
Duodenal ulcers-usually occur in the bulb (95% of ulcers in bulb)
Gastric ulcers most frequently occur in the lesser curvature.
10% of the population may have ulcers
Duodenal ulcer complications- stenosis, perforation, hemorrhage
Gastric ulcer complications-stenosis, perforation, come back as gastric carcinoma, hemorrhage
Etiology-it is now believed that a bacterium, helicobacter pylori, is the most common cause of ulcers
Used to be thought as result of stress and spicy food
Smoking, alcohol, aspirin, spicy foods, and stress can make a present ulcer worse
Signs and symptoms- annoying, burning pain in upper abdomen that is often relieved by eating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Diagnosis-UGI will show collection of barium. If ulceration active-->area not filling with barium. Clover leaf appearance will demonstrate duodenal ulcers.
Treatment-antibiotic treatment eat several small meals instead of the usual three large meals per day, no spicy foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no analgesics or steroids, avoid emotional stress, in severe cases surgical resection. Avoid irritants.