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Peptic Ulcers
See Also:
Peptic Ulcer:
Introduction
Peptic
Ulcer: Causes & Risk Factors
Peptic Ulcer:
Signs & Symptoms
Peptic Ulcer: Medical
Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Peptic Ulcer:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Introduction
A
peptic ulcer is damage to the lining of the
stomach, duodenum, or esophagus due to corrosion
caused by digestive juices secreted by stomach
cells. Peptic ulcers are identified based on
their anatomical locations. Peptic ulcer of the
stomach is called gastric ulcer, ulcers
of the duodenum are called duodenal ulcer
and of the esophagus - esophageal ulcer (1).
Peptic ulcers are raw patches with a 1-2 cm
diameter. They may be acute or chronic. Acute
peptic ulcers happen together producing no
symptoms and heal without any long term
consequences. On the other hand, chronic peptic
ulcers occur individually with some symptoms and
are deeper leaving a scar after healing (2). |
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Approximately 20 million Americans develop at least a
stomach ulcer in their life times. Annually, 4 million
Americans suffer from stomach ulcers and more than 40,000
Americans undergo surgery due to persistent symptoms of
peptic ulcers. Approximately 6000 Americans die every
year of peptic ulcer related complications (3).
See Also:
Peptic Ulcer:
Introduction
Peptic
Ulcer: Causes & Risk Factors
Peptic Ulcer:
Signs & Symptoms
Peptic Ulcer: Medical
Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Peptic Ulcer:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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