Specialists at The GastroEnterology Center provide comprehensive screening tools to accurately diagnose peptic ulcers and pinpoint their cause. This may include:
The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is a dull burning pain in an area between your belly button and breastbone. It may be most noticeable when your stomach is empty—and it may temporarily ease with the use of antacids. You may also have:
Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, a part of the small intestine. The stomach has an amazing ability to hold concentrations of strong acids. But sometimes the pH balance of the mucous that protects the stomach lining can be disrupted, which can lead to peptic ulcers.
The most common cause of peptic ulcers is a bacteria called H. pylori, though peptic ulcers also have been linked to:
Treatment for peptic ulcers depends on your individualized diagnosis and specific causes. Specialists at The Gastroenterology Center may recommend the following for your personalized treatment plan:
Heartburn: If you are experiencing heartburn, “do not discount the need for an upper GI endoscopy to rule out abnormal pathology.”
Heartburn is a common affliction for many people, but if left untreated it can lead to complications such as Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
