Ulcer: Difference between revisions
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== | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
An '''ulcer''' is a break in the skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus. Ulcers can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. | | name = Ulcer | ||
| image = [[File:Gastric_Ulcer.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = Endoscopic image of a [[gastric ulcer]] | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Abdominal pain]], [[bloating]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[weight loss]] | |||
| complications = [[Bleeding]], [[perforation (medical)|perforation]], [[gastric outlet obstruction]] | |||
| onset = Gradual | |||
| duration = Can be chronic | |||
| causes = [[Helicobacter pylori]], [[NSAIDs]], [[stress (medicine)|stress]] | |||
| risks = [[Smoking]], [[alcohol consumption]], [[family history]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Endoscopy]], [[barium swallow]], [[urea breath test]] | |||
| differential = [[Gastritis]], [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]], [[pancreatitis]] | |||
| treatment = [[Proton pump inhibitors]], [[antibiotics]], [[antacids]] | |||
| medication = [[Omeprazole]], [[amoxicillin]], [[clarithromycin]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Rare, but possible if complications occur | |||
}} | |||
An '''ulcer''' is a break in the skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus. Ulcers can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. | |||
=== Types of Ulcers === | === Types of Ulcers === | ||
Ulcers are classified based on their location and cause. The most common types include: | Ulcers are classified based on their location and cause. The most common types include: | ||
* '''[[Gastric ulcer]]''': Occurs in the stomach lining. | * '''[[Gastric ulcer]]''': Occurs in the stomach lining. | ||
* '''[[Duodenal ulcer]]''': Occurs in the first part of the small intestine. | * '''[[Duodenal ulcer]]''': Occurs in the first part of the small intestine. | ||
* '''[[Mouth ulcer]]''': Occurs in the oral cavity. | * '''[[Mouth ulcer]]''': Occurs in the oral cavity. | ||
* '''[[Pressure ulcer]]''': Also known as bedsores, occur due to prolonged pressure on the skin. | * '''[[Pressure ulcer]]''': Also known as bedsores, occur due to prolonged pressure on the skin. | ||
=== Gastric Ulcers === | === Gastric Ulcers === | ||
Gastric ulcers are a type of [[peptic ulcer disease]] that specifically affects the stomach lining. They are characterized by: | Gastric ulcers are a type of [[peptic ulcer disease]] that specifically affects the stomach lining. They are characterized by: | ||
* '''Location''': Typically found on the lesser curvature of the stomach. | * '''Location''': Typically found on the lesser curvature of the stomach. | ||
* '''Symptoms''': Include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, and nausea. | * '''Symptoms''': Include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, and nausea. | ||
* '''Causes''': Often caused by [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection or the use of [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs). | * '''Causes''': Often caused by [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection or the use of [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs). | ||
=== Pathophysiology === | === Pathophysiology === | ||
The development of gastric ulcers involves an imbalance between aggressive factors, such as gastric acid and pepsin, and defensive factors, such as the mucosal barrier and bicarbonate secretion. [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection disrupts the mucosal barrier, leading to inflammation and ulceration. | The development of gastric ulcers involves an imbalance between aggressive factors, such as gastric acid and pepsin, and defensive factors, such as the mucosal barrier and bicarbonate secretion. [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection disrupts the mucosal barrier, leading to inflammation and ulceration. | ||
=== Diagnosis === | === Diagnosis === | ||
Diagnosis of gastric ulcers typically involves: | Diagnosis of gastric ulcers typically involves: | ||
* '''Endoscopy''': Allows direct visualization of the ulcer. | * '''Endoscopy''': Allows direct visualization of the ulcer. | ||
* '''Biopsy''': To rule out malignancy and test for [[Helicobacter pylori]]. | * '''Biopsy''': To rule out malignancy and test for [[Helicobacter pylori]]. | ||
* '''Urea breath test''': To detect [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection. | * '''Urea breath test''': To detect [[Helicobacter pylori]] infection. | ||
=== Treatment === | === Treatment === | ||
Treatment of gastric ulcers focuses on: | Treatment of gastric ulcers focuses on: | ||
* '''Eradicating [[Helicobacter pylori]]''': Using a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). | * '''Eradicating [[Helicobacter pylori]]''': Using a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). | ||
* '''Reducing acid production''': With PPIs or H2-receptor antagonists. | * '''Reducing acid production''': With PPIs or H2-receptor antagonists. | ||
* '''Protecting the gastric lining''': Using agents like sucralfate. | * '''Protecting the gastric lining''': Using agents like sucralfate. | ||
=== Complications === | === Complications === | ||
Potential complications of untreated gastric ulcers include: | Potential complications of untreated gastric ulcers include: | ||
* '''Bleeding''': Can lead to [[hematemesis]] or [[melena]]. | * '''Bleeding''': Can lead to [[hematemesis]] or [[melena]]. | ||
* '''Perforation''': A hole in the stomach wall, leading to peritonitis. | * '''Perforation''': A hole in the stomach wall, leading to peritonitis. | ||
* '''Gastric outlet obstruction''': Due to swelling or scarring. | * '''Gastric outlet obstruction''': Due to swelling or scarring. | ||
== See also == | |||
== | |||
* [[Peptic ulcer disease]] | * [[Peptic ulcer disease]] | ||
* [[Helicobacter pylori]] | * [[Helicobacter pylori]] | ||
* [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]] | * [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]] | ||
* [[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] | * [[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Digestive diseases]] | [[Category:Digestive diseases]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:19, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Ulcer | |
|---|---|
| File:Gastric Ulcer.png | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, weight loss |
| Complications | Bleeding, perforation, gastric outlet obstruction |
| Onset | Gradual |
| Duration | Can be chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs, stress |
| Risks | Smoking, alcohol consumption, family history |
| Diagnosis | Endoscopy, barium swallow, urea breath test |
| Differential diagnosis | Gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, antacids |
| Medication | Omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Rare, but possible if complications occur |
An ulcer is a break in the skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissue, and often pus. Ulcers can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract.
Types of Ulcers[edit]
Ulcers are classified based on their location and cause. The most common types include:
- Gastric ulcer: Occurs in the stomach lining.
- Duodenal ulcer: Occurs in the first part of the small intestine.
- Mouth ulcer: Occurs in the oral cavity.
- Pressure ulcer: Also known as bedsores, occur due to prolonged pressure on the skin.
Gastric Ulcers[edit]
Gastric ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease that specifically affects the stomach lining. They are characterized by:
- Location: Typically found on the lesser curvature of the stomach.
- Symptoms: Include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, and nausea.
- Causes: Often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Pathophysiology[edit]
The development of gastric ulcers involves an imbalance between aggressive factors, such as gastric acid and pepsin, and defensive factors, such as the mucosal barrier and bicarbonate secretion. Helicobacter pylori infection disrupts the mucosal barrier, leading to inflammation and ulceration.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of gastric ulcers typically involves:
- Endoscopy: Allows direct visualization of the ulcer.
- Biopsy: To rule out malignancy and test for Helicobacter pylori.
- Urea breath test: To detect Helicobacter pylori infection.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment of gastric ulcers focuses on:
- Eradicating Helicobacter pylori: Using a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
- Reducing acid production: With PPIs or H2-receptor antagonists.
- Protecting the gastric lining: Using agents like sucralfate.
Complications[edit]
Potential complications of untreated gastric ulcers include:
- Bleeding: Can lead to hematemesis or melena.
- Perforation: A hole in the stomach wall, leading to peritonitis.
- Gastric outlet obstruction: Due to swelling or scarring.
