Stomach Ulcer

The stomach ulcer has become a widespread disease in our society today. It is often due to a stress-related overproduction of gastric acid. In addition to heartburn, the acid also damages the mucous membrane of the stomach, leading to the formation of gastric ulcers.

In addition, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori often plays a role in the development of the stomach ulcer. Typically, the ulcer causes pain in the upper abdomen, which occurs mainly when the stomach is full. A feeling of fullness, nausea and loss of appetite can also occur.

The diagnosis of the peptic ulcer is made by gastroscopy, in which a tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and into the stomach. The therapy is usually carried out with medication, whereby stomach acid inhibitors are used. In addition, the consumption of nicotine, alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.

Medications that promote the formation of stomach ulcers should also be discontinued. Antibiotics are also used if Helicobacter pylori can be detected. Complications such as bleeding ulcer can usually be treated by gastroscopy.However, if the bleeding gets out of control, an operation must be performed.

Duodenal ulcer

Duodenal ulcer (Ulcer duodeni) is the most common ulcer disease in the gastrointestinal tract. It occurs about four times more frequently than the stomach ulcer. Unlike the stomach lining, the duodenum is not well protected against strong acids.

However, after being broken down in the stomach by gastric acid, food is transported along with the acid into the duodenum. There, various digestive enzymes are added to the chyme, which simultaneously balance the strong acidity. However, an imbalance between the production of acid and the release of these balancing substances can quickly lead to the mucous membrane of the duodenum being severely damaged.

As with peptic ulcer, pain in the upper abdomen is a common symptom, but it occurs mainly in the fasting state. Therefore, the symptoms are most noticeable at night. Treatment with gastric acid inhibitors is also usually effective for duodenal ulcers, and antibiotics are also administered for the most common colonization with Helicobacter pylori.

Usually, this therapy is sufficient to heal the duodenal ulcer. However, if complications occur, a partial surgical resection of the stomach is usually performed. This involves the removal of the part of the stomach that produces particularly large amounts of gastric acid, which makes the chyme less aggressive on the duodenum and allows the ulcer to heal normally.