Peptic ulcer of the duodenum is a disease characterized by the formation of ulcerative defects on the mucosa. A similar pathological process is diagnosed in women and men of different ages. There are many different factors that provoke the occurrence of this disease, which is why it is important to detect and eliminate them in a timely manner. The disease proceeds with stages of remission and exacerbation.
Features of the disease
The duodenum is the portion of the gastrointestinal tract that runs from the stomach to the small intestine. It receives partially digested food from the stomach, and it is important in the process of digestion. Peptic ulcer of the duodenum is a disease of a recurrent nature, in which the mucosa is damaged, followed by scarring.
Often it occurs due to the defeat of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Previously, it was associated with malnutrition, and the main method of therapy was the observance of a special diet. This disease is consideredquite common and often completely asymptomatic, which threatens to move into a more serious stage and complications.
Causes of occurrence
The main cause of duodenal ulcer is acidity. It causes serious damage to the mucous membrane, resulting in destructive processes that lead to the development of this disease. To provoke the formation of an ulcer can also factors such as:
- malnutrition;
- Helicobacter pylori bacterium;
- emotional overstrain and stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- alcohol abuse;
- taking certain medications;
- tobacco smoking.
Quite often people who abuse alcohol are diagnosed with this disease. Alcohol causes very serious damage to the cells of the mucosa, changing the nature of the release of hydrochloric acid. The protective functions of mucus in this case are significantly reduced.
Main symptoms
The very first symptom of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer is the presence of severe pain. Pain can be manifested or significantly increased with physical exertion, the consumption of spicy foods, drinking alcohol, and prolonged fasting. With a typical course of an ulcer, painful sensations have a clear relationship with food intake, they occur during an exacerbation of the disease and are characterized by seasonality.manifestations.
In addition, a decrease or complete disappearance of pain when taking antacids is characteristic. In addition, there may be other symptoms of a duodenal ulcer, such as:
- heartburn;
- nausea and vomiting after eating;
- weight loss;
- loss of appetite;
- decrease in performance.
Pain can be early, late and nocturnal. Early pains appear immediately after eating and decrease literally after 2 hours. They are characteristic of patients with ulcers localized in the upper part of the stomach. Late ones begin to appear 2 hours after eating and occur in people with ulcers in the antrum.
Many patients with duodenal ulcer complain of irregular stools. Constipation can bother you much more often than pain.
Diagnostics
When a patient is treated with characteristic symptoms, the doctor diagnoses duodenal ulcer, which begins with the collection of data. For this, the nature and localization of pain, heredity, history and many other factors are determined. During a visual examination, the doctor performs palpation of the abdomen. In addition, diagnostics implies:
- Clinical analysis and determination of the number of bacteria in the blood;
- measuring stomach acid;
- X-ray with contrast agent;
- endoscopic examination;
- mucosal examination.
As a result of determining the presence of peptic ulcer and its localization, the doctor selects the method of treatment, taking into account the patient's condition and the course of the pathological process.
Features of treatment
The treatment of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum is based on two principles, namely, individuality and complexity. Therapy is mainly conservative. During the period of exacerbation, treatment is indicated for 6-8 weeks, and should be carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. Therapy includes:
- strict adherence to bed rest;
- medical nutrition;
- medication use;
- thermal treatments.
The first stage of treatment of duodenal ulcer is best done in a hospital setting. During this period, the patient should be provided with complete physical and psychological rest. Bed rest has a very good effect on intra-abdominal pressure and normalization of blood circulation in the digestive tract, which contributes to faster healing of the ulcer. However, it is worth noting that prolonged rest can negatively affect the overall functional state of the body, so after eliminating an attack of acute pain, you need to gradually return to physical activity.
He althy nutrition means following a diet with the exclusion from the diet of foods that irritate the mucous membranes. ExceptIn addition, it is important to undergo a course of drug therapy, which will normalize the patient's well-being, eliminate an acute attack of pain, and also remove pathogenic microflora.
Using drug therapy
In the presence of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, the doctor prescribes certain medications, in particular, such as:
- antibacterial;
- painkillers;
- blocking the production of hydrochloric acid;
- neutralizing hydrochloric acid;
- protecting the mucosa.
Antibacterial drugs are required if the disease was triggered by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. These drugs include Amoxicillin and Metronidazole. If after a course of antibiotic therapy it was not possible to eliminate the bacteria, then you need to choose another regimen for the therapy.
Also, in the treatment of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, painkillers are prescribed. The most common drugs are: "Kontrolok", "Gastrozol", "Sanpraz". Their action is aimed at eliminating pain by reducing the amount of hydrochloric acid in the body.
Required drugs to help form a protective film on the mucous membrane. These drugs include "Maalox" and "Almagel". In order to quickly normalize the patient's well-being, agents are required that block the production of hydrochloric acid. Inhibitors are often prescribed, which include "omeprazole",Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole.
Drug therapy often lasts from 2 weeks to 1.5 months. In many ways, the course of treatment depends on the size of the ulcer and the patient's well-being. It is worth remembering that only a qualified specialist should prescribe drugs and control the process of therapy, based on the characteristics of the course of the disease. That is why, if there is the slightest suspicion of a disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Surgery
There are certain indications for surgical intervention in the presence of an ulcer. These indications include:
- peptic ulcer perforation;
- heavy bleeding;
- pyloric stenosis in the acute stage.
Surgery is recommended if a chronic benign ulcer does not heal for a long time despite medical treatment. Another indication is that the patient has several stages of gastric bleeding.
When perforated, the ulcer is sutured or excised with pyloroplasty. In the case of heavy bleeding from the ulcer, endoscopic hemostasis is initially performed, and then conservative therapy is used using hemostatic drugs. If these techniques are ineffective, an operation to suture the ulcer or perform its resection with subsequent plasty is indicated.
If there is a deformation of the bulb, then the surgical intervention consists in carrying outplasty or anastomosis.
Diet rules
If peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum is observed, the diet must necessarily meet such principles as:
- providing the body with good nutrition;
- consumption of the most sparing products;
- strict adherence to diet.
Food should be soft and well chopped, have an average heating temperature. In addition, the foods consumed should not be too s alty, spicy and fatty. You need to eat often and in small portions. The daily calorie content of the diet should be no more than 2000 kcal.
Food should only be steamed or boiled. As drinks, it is desirable to consume mineral water without gas. In addition, tea with lemon balm and mint has a positive effect on the mucous membrane. You need to drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Due to the observance of a special diet for duodenal ulcer, the intestines do not receive unnecessary stress, and food is absorbed much faster.
Traditional medicine
Some patients do not want to take medications and resort to alternative methods of therapy. It is worth remembering that when using non-traditional remedies, you must first consult with your doctor, as you can harm your condition and provoke an exacerbation of the ulcer.
For treatment, you can use:
- propolis;
- medicinal herbs;
- beets;
- viburnum juice;
- green tea;
- olive oil;
- flax seeds.
However, gastroenterologists recommend complex therapy aimed at eliminating pathogens and reducing the level of acidity in the body.
What to do during an acute attack?
If you have severe abdominal pain, you should definitely seek medical help. You should not use any medications on your own, especially painkillers, as this can distort the clinical picture, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Only after a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes treatment.
In case of exacerbation of peptic ulcer, it is very important to provide timely assistance and eliminate the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter. If you do not provide comprehensive assistance, then there may be a significant deterioration in well-being, which threatens to cause a painful shock.
What are the complications?
Complications of duodenal ulcer can be very dangerous for a person and include:
- bleeding;
- perforated ulcer;
- penetration of the ulcer.
When a deep ulcer occurs, the acid can corrode the blood vessels, leading to profuse bleeding. Sometimes it is so severe that it can cause a very life-threatening condition. Among the main symptoms of this disorder, one can single out the presence of vomiting, a drop in pressure, severe weakness, dizziness, palpitations, darkchair.
In some patients, the ulcer can penetrate all layers of the duodenum, resulting in a hole that connects the lumen of the intestine to the abdominal cavity. The main signs of this complication is a sharp pain in the abdomen. The severity of the patient's condition is constantly worsening, while there is an increase in temperature, and the abdomen becomes hard.
Penetration of an ulcer is its penetration into other organs, which causes an inflammatory process, which provokes an inflammatory process. Often, such an ulcerative formation penetrates the pancreas, which leads to very serious consequences. A healed ulcer with frequent exacerbations can cause damage to the duodenal bulb, which makes it difficult for food to pass through it.
Prophylaxis
The main measures for the prevention of duodenal ulcer are:
- prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection;
- reducing the release of hydrochloric acid;
- timely treatment of duodenitis and gastritis.
In order to carry out prevention, you need to give up bad habits, follow the right diet, and also eliminate the factors that provoke stressful conditions. If you suspect an ulcer, you should definitely consult a doctor who will prescribe a diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment.
