Symptoms: duodenal ulcer

The prevalence of diseases of the digestive tract is very high these days, and there are still many problems with their prevention and treatment. The frequency of occurrence of peptic ulcer is in second place among all pathologies of the digestive system. And, although for people of all ages such symptoms may be characteristic, duodenal ulcer is more often diagnosed in patients aged 35-50 years. According to statistics, mainly men are ill.

A peptic ulcer is a disease of the digestive system, which has a chronic course that results from a violation of the regulation of secretion, hereditary predisposition, local disturbances in the trophism of the intestinal mucosa, and a decrease in the protective functions of the body. As a result of these processes, a defect( ulcer) is formed on the intestinal mucosa. An important role in the formation of ulcers is played by failure in the nervous and humoral regulation, which ensure a normal blood supply to the mucous membrane.

Causes of the disease

Predisposing factors contributing to the development of ulcers include: prolonged emotional overstrain, frequent stressful situations, concomitant diseases of internal organs, chronic infections, alcohol, inaccuracies in nutrition, hormonal failures. Violation of the pituitary gland, an imbalance in the production of sexual and digestive hormones( gastrin, cholecystokinin, secretin) leads to a sharp increase in the level of acidity.

The appearance of ulcers occurs due to a violation of the constancy and balance of "protective" and "aggressive" factors. Protective factors are: intestinal mucus, normal blood circulation and metabolic processes in the intestinal mucosa, the protective action of digestive hormones. Harmful factors: hydrochloric acid, increased acid factor, mucosal trauma, decreased intestinal motility. Violation of the balance in favor of the latter provokes the characteristic symptoms. Duodenal ulcer, in addition, is often determined genetically. An hereditary factor occurs in 50-60% of patients.

Symptoms: duodenal ulcer
Many people are familiar with the disease clinic and its characteristic symptoms. Ulcer of the duodenum is manifested by soreness in epigastrium, which occurs on an empty stomach. After eating, the pain usually goes through the neutralizing effect of food on hydrochloric acid. Painful sensations are resumed after some time after eating, and also at night. The patient may be troubled by the heaviness in the abdomen, nausea. Constipation is characteristic of this disease.

Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis is important symptoms. Ulcer of the duodenum is manifested, as a rule, by the above complaints. The correct questioning and examination of the patient is also important. Determined soreness in the upper third of the abdomen, possibly tension of the abdominal muscles. The most informative method of examination is gastroduodenoscopy, which allows not only to detect the ulcer and its location, but also to perform a targeted biopsy of the intestinal wall and the edges of the ulcerative defect. A biopsy is performed for the purpose of differential diagnosis with other diseases( cancer, tuberculosis ulcer, amyloidosis, etc.).For the purpose of revealing the latent bleeding, a coprological examination is carried out.

The course of the disease
Duodenal ulcer is characterized by a prolonged course, with alternating periods of relative calm( remission) and exacerbations. Exacerbation of duodenal ulcer occurs usually in the fall and spring, when exposed to adverse factors.

Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. During an exacerbation, the therapy is carried out in a stationary setting. Appointed enveloping preparations of bismuth, drugs that suppress the production of hydrochloric acid, blockers of the proton pump, antibiotics, for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Prevention of duodenal ulcers reduces to adherence to the correct diet, exclusion of bad habits, preventive treatment in the spring and autumn.