Peptic Ulcers (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Peptic Ulcers Overview
- Peptic Ulcers Causes
- Peptic Ulcers Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Peptic Ulcers Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Peptic Ulcers - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
Outlook
ost 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.
- Bleeding: Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum may bleed.
- 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 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 bloody or black, tarry stools.
- Usually, this is because the blood vessel (artery) supplying the area of the ulcer has been damaged by stomach acid.
- Perforation: When an ulcer gets very bad, it can eat all the way through the intestinal wall.
- 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.
- The resulting hole in the intestine is called perforation.
- Obstruction: An ulcer causes inflammation.
- 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.
- If this inflammation becomes chronic (ongoing, long lasting), it can cause swelling and scarring.
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Viewer Comments & Reviews
Peptic Ulcers - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
The symptoms of peptic ulcers can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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Peptic Ulcer Disease »
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common disorder that affects millions of individuals in the United States each year.
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