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common⚑ High burden in India

Peptic ulcer

Peptic disease refers to damage of the inner part of the stomach's , the first part of the small , or sometimes the lower . An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while one in the first part of the intestines is a duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper pain, and upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. With a gastric ulcer, the pain may worsen with eating. The pain is often described as a burning or dull ache. Other symptoms include belching, vomiting, weight loss, or poor appetite. About a third of older people with peptic have no symptoms. may include bleeding, , and blockage of the stomach. Bleeding occurs in as many as 15% of cases.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·, upper pain, , belching, vomiting, blood in the , weight loss, weight gain, , loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, difficulty swallowing

Causes — why it happens

  • · pylori , drugs (), tobacco smoking, disease

Treatment

  • ·Medications, stopping , stopping smoking, stopping alcohol consumption

Complications

  • ·Bleeding, , perforation, blockage of the stomach

Test yourself

0/4 answered

4 quick questions on Peptic ulcer. Tap an answer to check it.

1. Where does a peptic ulcer form?
2. An ulcer in the stomach itself is called a what?
3. Which of these is a common cause of peptic ulcers?
4. Which of these is a possible complication of a peptic ulcer?
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.