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An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers.
Duodenal ulcers; Gastric ulcers; Helicobacter pylori; H. pylori
Peptic ulcers are always suspected in patients with persistent dyspepsia (bloating, belching, and abdominal pain). Symptoms of dyspepsia occur in 20 - 25% of people who live in industrialized nations, but only about 15 - 25% of those with dyspepsia actually have ulcers. A number of steps are needed to accurately diagnose ulcers.
The doctor will ask for a thorough report of a patient's dyspepsia and other important symptoms, such as weight loss or fatigue, present and past medication use (especially chronic NSAID use), family members with ulcers, and drinking and smoking habits.
In addition to peptic ulcers, a number of conditions, notably gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome, cause dyspepsia. Often, however, no cause can be determined. In such cases, the symptoms are referred to collectively as functional dyspepsia.
Peptic ulcer symptoms, particularly abdominal pain and chest pain, may resemble those of other conditions, such as gallstones or a heart attack. Certain features may help to distinguish these different conditions. However, symptoms often overlap, and it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on symptoms alone. A number of tests are needed.
The following disorders may be confused with peptic ulcers:
Dyspepsia may also occur with gastritis, stomach cancer, or as a side effect of certain drugs, including NSAIDs, antibiotics, iron, corticosteroids, theophylline, and calcium blockers.
When ulcers are suspected, the doctor will order tests to detect bleeding. These may include a rectal exam, complete blood count, and fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The FOBT tests for hidden (occult) blood in stools. Typically, the patient is asked to supply up to six stool specimens in a specially prepared package. A small quantity of feces is smeared on treated paper, which reacts to hydrogen peroxide. If blood is present, the paper turns blue.
Traditional radiology tests have not yet proven valuable for diagnosing ulcers.
Simple blood, breath, and stool tests can now detect H. pylori with a fairly high degree of accuracy. It is not entirely clear, however, which individuals should be screened for H. pylori.
Candidates for Screening. Some doctors currently test for H. pylori only in individuals with dyspepsia who also have high-risk conditions, such as:
Smokers and those who experience regular and persistent pain on an empty stomach may also be good candidates for screening tests. Some doctors argue that testing for H. pylori may be beneficial for patients with dyspepsia who are regular NSAID users. In fact, given the possible risk for stomach cancer in H. pylori- infected people with dyspepsia, some experts now recommend that any patient with dyspepsia lasting longer than 4 weeks should have a blood test for H. pylori. This is a subject of considerable debate, however.
Tests for Diagnosing H. pylori. The following tests are used to diagnose H. pylori infection. Testing may also be done after treatment to ensure that the bacteria have been completely eliminated.
Endoscopy is a procedure used to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope -- a long, thin tube equipped with a tiny video camera. When combined with a biopsy, endoscopy is the most accurate procedure for detecting the presence of peptic ulcers, bleeding, and stomach cancer, or for confirming the presence of H. pylori.
Appropriate Candidates for Endoscopy. Because endoscopy is invasive and expensive, it is unsuitable for screening everyone with dyspepsia. Most individuals with these symptoms are managed effectively without endoscopy. Endoscopy is usually reserved for patients with dyspepsia who also have risk factors for ulcers, stomach cancer, or both. Risk factors include the following:
Experts disagree about whether endoscopy should be performed on all patients who do not respond to initial medication, unless there is evidence or suspicion of bleeding or serious complications, because it does not appear to add any useful information about treatment choices. There is also some debate about whether patients under age 45 who have persistent dyspepsia but no alarm symptoms should have an endoscopy.
The Procedure. Endoscopy may be performed in a hospital, doctor's office, or outpatient surgery center, and typically involves the following:

An upper GI series was the standard method for diagnosing peptic ulcers until endoscopy and tests for detecting H. pylori were introduced. In an upper GI series, the patient drinks a solution containing barium. X-rays are then taken, which may reveal inflammation, active ulcer craters, or deformities and scarring due to previous ulcers. Endoscopy is more accurate, although it is also more invasive and expensive.
Stool tests may show traces of blood that are not visible to the naked eye, and blood tests may reveal anemia in those who have bleeding ulcers. If Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is suspected, blood levels of gastrin should be measured.
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