Peptic Ulcer Flashcards
Peptic Ulcer =
Occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or small intestine (duodenal ulcer)
Where do peptic ulcers affect?
Lower part of oesophagus, body and antrium of stomach, and first and second parts of duodenum
Most frequent causative agent of Peptic Ulcer
Helicobacter pylori
Risk factors of Peptic Ulcer
Helicobacter pylori Caffeine Alcohol NSAIDs Tobacco SSRISs - Sertraline
Peptic Ulcer complications
Acute bleeding - melaena or haematemesis
Chronic bleeding - Iron defic
Perforation
Fibrotic Stricture
Most common cause of GI bleeding?
Peptic Ulcer = 35-50% of cases
Peptic Ulcer Symptoms
Back pain Epigastric pain Nocturnal/hunger pains - duodenal Nausea Vomiting Weight loss Anorexia
Symptoms if Gastric Ulcer
Epigastric pain when eating
Pain releived by antacids
If the ulser bleeds then - haemtemesis/melaena/anaemia
Symptoms if duodenal ulcer
more common (& in first part of duodenum)
Epigastric pain - before meals, at night
Pain received by eating or drinking milk
Peptic Ulcer Investigations
H pylori
Urea breath test
Stool antigen test (first line)
Endoscopy
Peptic Ulcer Treatment
Tripple therapy for 7 days PPI Amoxycillin -> Tetracycline Clarithromycin = Eradication therapy
Antacids
PPI and H2RA are antacids and should be given if H.pylori is negative to treat ulcer.
What to avoid with a peptic ulcer
Caffeine
Alcohol
NSAIDS
Tobacco
