Any disease that is not treated or does not follow all the doctor's recommendations can lead to serious complications. Currently, a large percentage of the population suffers from diseases of the digestive tract, among them gastritis and ulcers occupy one of the first places. One of the complications of these pathologies is a perforated ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, the symptoms and treatment of these pathologies will be discussed below.
What is perforation?
This pathology is the result of a complication of peptic ulcer, which can occur for various reasons, but all of them can lead to the formation of a through hole in a hollow organ. It can be either the stomach or any part of the intestine.
As a result of the formation of perforation, the entire contents of the stomach or intestine, together with the contents and enzymes, enters the abdominal cavity and begins to corrode it. Infectious agents do not remain indifferent, and in response to such an event, an inflammatory process develops, which is called peritonitis.
This is a serious situation that requires immediate medical attention.intervention. Most often, such a complication occurs in the strong half of humanity, and the peak of occurrence occurs in the spring and autumn.
Causes of perforation in the stomach
There are several reasons that can lead to a perforated ulcer, among them the main place is occupied by:
- Frequent inflammatory processes in the stomach.
- Physical activity that leads to increased intra-abdominal pressure.
- Large amounts of food.
- Diet neglect.
- Stressful situations.
- Aspirin use or glucocorticoid therapy.
The presence of inflammation in the mucous membrane can lead to the fact that a perforated ulcer, its symptoms can visit the patient. It is imperative to undergo regular examinations and follow the doctor's recommendations.
Causes of duodenal ulcer
Most often, the causes of ulcers of this organ lie in problems with the stomach. If you do not take any measures to eliminate the inflammatory process in it, then this will definitely spread to the duodenum.
The reasons may also be:
- Alcoholism.
- Diseases of the gallbladder, chronic appendicitis.
- Helicobacter pylori infection.
Be aware that duodenal perforation is much more common than stomach ulcers.
Symptoms of a perforated ulcer
When a patient's disease worsens, it is always manifested by painsensations, vomiting, all this most often occurs after eating. At the time of perforation formation, a perforated ulcer has symptoms in the form of a sharp "dagger" pain that cannot be tolerated. The patient tries to pull the legs to the chest in order to reduce it.
At this moment, there is also an increase in signs of intoxication of the body as a result of getting everything that is in the stomach into the abdominal cavity. The skin becomes pale, cold sweat appears, blood pressure decreases and the heart begins to beat faster.
In the development of this pathology, several stages are distinguished:
- Shock stage. It is precisely characterized by unbearable sharp pains that can radiate to the right side of the back. This makes it difficult to breathe and makes the muscles very hard and tense.
- Imaginary improvement. At this time, and this is about a few hours after the onset of all the pains, the condition improves slightly, the perforated ulcer reduces its symptoms. Weakness appears, the pressure remains low, the muscles relax a little, and it becomes easier to breathe. Body temperature usually rises during this period, flatulence occurs, patients familiar with this condition should no longer confuse it with poisoning or influenza. It is impossible to do without an ambulance during this period.
- After 12 hours, symptoms of peritonitis already appear: dry mouth, abdominal pain. It should be noted that the signs of peritonitis are always the same, regardless of the cause that provoked it. suspect thatthis happened against the background of a perforated ulcer of the stomach or intestines is possible only on the basis of the existing diagnosis.
Peritonitis can be caused by appendicitis, pancreatitis, but in any case, if such a pathology is suspected, urgent hospitalization is necessary. Dangerous is the situation when the developing ulcer showed practically no signs. The patient can ignore the symptoms of the resulting perforation, but simply try to relieve pain with home remedies and painkillers, and this is already life-threatening.
Intestinal ulcer symptoms
If there is a perforation of the duodenum 12, then the signs may be as follows:
- Sharp pain in the left hypochondrium, which may radiate to the neck and collarbone.
- Vomiting, most often only happens once.
- Becomes a "disc belly".
- Cold sweat and blue tinge of mucous membranes appear.
Just like with perforation of the stomach, a perforated duodenal ulcer, the symptoms of which we are considering, leads to the fact that at the second stage of development, signs of intestinal contents entering the abdominal cavity immediately begin to appear. Tachycardia, fever, severe pain are clear witnesses to the development of peritonitis. In this condition, urgent help from surgeons is needed.
Perforation diagnosis
Since the perforated ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, the symptoms are pronounced at the first stage, and patients, as a rule, are admitted to the medicalinstitution on the second, then the correct diagnosis is based on the anamnesis of the disease. In addition, additional research is required:
- X-ray that will show free gas if there is a perforation.
- Ultrasound detects the onset of inflammation in the abdominal cavity and the presence of fluid.
- FGDS is sometimes used to pinpoint the exact location of the pathology, but there is a risk of gas entering the abdominal cavity, so special care must be taken.
- If the case is severe, and the symptoms of a perforated duodenal ulcer are blurred, then laparoscopy is done.
- A blood test will also show elevated ESR, high stab leukocytes and low hemoglobin levels.
Surgical intervention will be performed only after the perforation is confirmed.
First aid for perforated ulcer
The formation of a perforation in the stomach or intestines is very dangerous for human life, which is why at the first suspicion of such a condition, it is necessary to call an ambulance. During transportation, a patient in serious condition is given drugs to maintain blood pressure, oxygen is inhaled, and painkillers are given.
It is not advisable to use narcotic analgesics during this period, as they disrupt the patient's consciousness and lubricate clinical manifestations, which makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.
Treatment of perforatedulcers
Perforated ulcer of the intestine has almost the same symptoms as perforation of the stomach, they are also united by the fact that only surgeons can cope with such a condition. Surgery should be done as soon as possible because it may not be worth it later on.
If the situation so requires, then all manipulations are carried out in the intensive care unit. Before the operation, a probe and a catheter are inserted into the bladder, and the operation itself is carried out under general anesthesia.
The surgeon makes an incision and examines the cavity of the stomach or intestines, detects perforation, and then decides how to fix it. There are several options for this:
- You can sew a hole.
- In some cases, part of the stomach is removed along with the perforation.
- Excision of the ulcer and vagotomy.
Most often, surgeons know from their experience that suturing is not a 100% guarantee of a complete cure, relapses often occur. Therefore, this method of dealing with perforation is resorted to in situations with severe peritonitis or in the presence of pathology in young people in whom stress has become the cause of this condition.
In most other cases, excision of the ulcer or resection of the stomach is more effective.
Both before excision or suturing, and after the operation, a complete sanitation of the cavity is carried out and several drains are installed.
We covered the topic: "Perforated ulcer symptoms and treatment." First aid in this situation is very important,but most often its meaning lies in the speedy hospitalization of the patient.
Complications after surgery and prognosis for the future
Among all the complications of the postoperative process, the following can be mentioned:
- Development of an abscess in the abdominal cavity.
- Pneumonia.
- If the stitches are bad, then this is fraught with re-perforation and the formation of peritonitis and sepsis.
- Very rarely, there may be a violation of the movement of food through the esophagus into the stomach due to narrowing of the inlet sphincter.
If a perforated ulcer is detected in time, the symptoms are eliminated and all necessary measures are taken to eliminate the pathology, then the prognosis is most often favorable. If you follow all the recommendations of the doctor and diet, you can lead a normal life.
Folk ulcer treatment
If the disease has gone too far and a perforation has formed, then traditional methods of therapy will no longer give any effect. But after surgery, along with the standard course of treatment, it is quite possible to apply the recommendations of traditional healers.
Here are some recipes to help reduce stomach acid to prevent relapse:
- Mix the juice of two lemons with 0.5 liters of honey and the same volume of olive oil. Ready medicine to use 1 tbsp. l. before meals 3 times a day for a month.
- 250 grams of aloe leaves grind in a meat grinder, add 250 grams of honey and heat the mixture to 50 degrees, then add half a liter of red wine. All this insist in a dark place for 7 days, andthen you can take a tablespoon 3 times a day for an hour before meals. The duration of such treatment is 3 weeks.
It must be remembered that traditional medicine can be effective in the initial stages of ulcer development, and when perforation occurs, it no longer makes any sense.
How to prevent recurrence of a perforation
In order to prevent the recurrence of a perforated ulcer, it is necessary to regularly carry out anti-relapse therapy, which includes:
- Compliance with the diet. As a preventive measure, patients are encouraged to follow the No. 1 diet, especially during periods of possible exacerbation of the disease.
- Taking necessary medicines. The attending physician will definitely give recommendations on this matter.
- Physiotherapy. They give amazing results when combined with proper nutrition and medication.
- Periodic spa treatment.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can bring a lot of trouble to its owner. If you do not adhere to strict food restrictions, abuse bad habits, and undergo frequent stress, then you should not be surprised that the ulcer will again declare itself with its unpleasant symptoms. Take care of yourself and your he alth, it can not be bought for any money.
