My experience with duodenal ulcer
My experience with duodenal ulcer was a long and complicated journey, with many challenges and lessons learned. Duodenal ulcers, a type of ulcer that forms in the first part of the small intestine, can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as severe stomach pain, nausea, and weight loss.
My journey with this disease began unexpectedly, as I was suffering from recurring stomach pain without realizing the real reason behind it. After multiple doctor visits and numerous tests, I was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer.
Treatment required radical changes in lifestyle and diet, in addition to adherence to precise doses of prescribed medications. I had to avoid foods that irritate the stomach, such as spicy and acidic foods, as well as reduce psychological stress that was negatively affecting my condition.
During this time, I learned the importance of patience and perseverance. The treatment was not easy, but with commitment and continuous follow-up with the doctor, I began to notice a gradual improvement in my condition. There were moments of frustration and despair, but the support from family and friends played a big role in getting me through this stage.
One of the important lessons I learned during my experience is the importance of paying attention to health and listening to the body's signals. We often ignore small symptoms that may be a sign of a larger problem. She also realized the importance of proper nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only to recover from an illness, but as a way to prevent future diseases.
In the end, my experience with duodenal ulcer was an educational journey, teaching me a lot about my health and myself. It was a difficult time, but it also gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate my priorities and reinforce my healthy habits. I hope that my experience can be a source of inspiration and useful information for those suffering from similar health issues.
Causes of duodenal ulcer
Duodenal ulcers arise from damage to the mucosa covering the first part of the small intestine. This ulcer may result from a number of different factors, including:
Overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori bacteria are naturally present in the stomach and duodenum. However, these bacteria may increase and multiply in the duodenal area, leading to damage to the mucous membrane covering this area and resulting in infection.
These bacteria may also be transmitted from person to person through the exchange of saliva or consumption of water containing these infectious bacteria, which may cause a duodenal ulcer.
Excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, in large amounts or for long periods, is a factor that may lead to the development of a duodenal ulcer. These medications may provoke inflammation of the intestinal lining, which leads to damage to that lining and creates a suitable environment for ulcers to develop over time.
Bacterial or viral infections that affect the digestive system, as well as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which increases acid secretion in the stomach, may be among the possible causes of this type of ulcer. Long-term use of some medications, such as corticosteroids, some antidepressants, and anticoagulants, may also lead to such results.
In addition, duodenal ulcers can result from surgeries in the stomach or small intestine, as these surgeries may cause various complications, including ulcers. Also, vascular insufficiency that impedes healthy blood flow to the intestines can contribute to the development of this condition. Treatments such as chemotherapy and malignant tumors are also factors that may increase the chance of developing a duodenal ulcer.
Symptoms of duodenal ulcer
Duodenal ulcer is characterized by characteristic abdominal pain that often appears hours after eating, at night, or when the stomach is empty.
This pain differs from the pain resulting from a stomach ulcer, as duodenal ulcer pain improves immediately after eating, while stomach ulcer pain appears faster after eating.
Other symptoms of a duodenal ulcer include a feeling of extreme fullness or bloating after eating, persistent heartburn, nausea and vomiting, and an enlarged abdomen.
While the disease can develop to include more serious symptoms, such as vomiting accompanied by blood, which may be red or black, bloody or black stools, difficulty breathing, dizziness or confusion, unexplained weight loss, and decreased appetite. These symptoms herald the presence of internal bleeding or perforation due to exacerbation of a duodenal ulcer, and you must consult a doctor immediately.
How is duodenal ulcer diagnosed?
To determine if a person has a duodenal ulcer, doctors begin by gathering information about the patient's health condition and symptoms, and perform a physical examination. Many advanced tests are required to confirm this diagnosis and to differentiate it from other digestive system diseases.
Common tests in this field are:
1. Advanced endoscopy of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, during which any ulcers that may be present are searched for and tissue samples are taken for examination, especially to detect Helicobacter pylori bacteria that may be the cause of these ulcers.
2. CT scan, which provides accurate images of the duodenum and surrounding tissues to help understand the extent of the injury.
3. Using X-rays of the upper digestive system after the patient takes barium, which is a substance that helps in obtaining clearer images of the digestive system.
As for direct detection of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that may be the cause of ulcers, this ensures:
1. Breathing test, where the patient drinks a substance containing radioactive carbon, and then is asked to blow air into a special bag to analyze the gases released and detect bacteria.
2. Stool antigen test, which looks for indicators of the presence of bacteria in the patient's stool.
These multiple methods help doctors confirm the diagnosis and accurately choose the appropriate treatment.
Treatment of duodenal ulcer
To treat a duodenal ulcer, doctors give a medication that lowers the level of acid in the stomach to protect the lining of the duodenum from its effects. These medications vary and include:
– Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole, are widely used.
– H2-receptor blockers such as famotidine and cimetidine.
– Antacids that include calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.
– Sucralfate, which helps protect the duodenal mucosa.
If the ulcer is caused by Helicobacter pylori, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics as part of a triple therapy that includes two types of antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor. Amoxicillin and clarithromycin are among the commonly used antibiotics.
In more serious cases, such as bleeding or perforated ulcers, patients may need surgical intervention to repair damaged tissue and restore normal function.
How can duodenal ulcer be prevented?
To maintain the health of the digestive system and avoid duodenal ulcer problems, it is important to follow a number of health guidelines. First, you must maintain regular hand hygiene to prevent germs that may cause infection.
It is also recommended to limit the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and adhere to specific instructions for their use, with the possibility of resorting to other alternatives such as acetaminophen to relieve pain.
In addition, it is preferable to use medications that reduce stomach acidity when taking anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent the development of ulcers.
It is also necessary to reduce smoking or quit it completely, as well as avoid or abstain from drinking alcohol. In addition, adopting a diet full of fruits and vegetables is an important step to promote stomach health and avoid duodenal ulcer problems.
