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- Duodenal Ulcer
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| How is it diagnosed? |
Your provider may ask for a stool sample to check for bleeding. You may have blood tests to see if you have anemia from chronic bleeding to check for the H. pylori bacteria.
To locate the ulcer, you may have:
| An upper GI x-ray. For this test you will swallow liquid barium, which may allow your health care provider to see the ulcer on an x-ray. |
| An endoscopy. This is a procedure in which you swallow a slim, lighted flexible tube that allows the health care provider to see the ulcer. |
| How is it treated? |
The objectives of treatment are pain relief, healing of the ulcer, and prevention of complications. Treatment can also help prevent recurrence of the ulcer. Your health care provider may prescribe: |
| antibiotics to treat H. pylori |
| antacids |
| a medication to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and intestine. |
You will probably take the antibiotics for 1 to 2 weeks. You may take medicine to decrease acid for at least 6 weeks. Sometimes medicine needs to be taken for 6 to 12 months to prevent new ulcers.
Because stress can contribute to the development of duodenal ulcers, sometimes it is important to make changes in your lifestyle (see the section below titled "How can I take care of myself?").
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About 25% of people with duodenal ulcers develop complications. About 5% to 10% need surgery.
| How can I take care of myself? |
| Follow the full treatment prescribed by your doctor. Keep your follow-up appointments. Also, you may want to make lifestyle changes such as: |
| Avoid tobacco. |
| Avoid alcohol. |
| Avoid drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen that cause stomach inflammation. (Ask your doctor if you can substitute acetaminophen.) |
| Avoid strong tea, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and colas. |
| Eat balanced, nutritious meals. Several small meals may be better than two or three large ones. |
| Learn how to manage stress |
| Get plenty of rest. |
| Exercise as recommended by your doctor. |
| Seek professional help for dealing with events that cause anxiety. |
If you continue having symptoms or your symptoms
get worse, tell your doctor.
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