Peptic ulcer is an ulcer that is located in an area of the gastrointestinal tract. This is mostly acidic in nature and therefore, vey painful. This condition is linked with a spiral- shaped bacterium which usually lives and breeds in the acidic atmosphere of the stomach. Ulcers are known to get aggravated with the intake of medications like aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The general belief that peptic ulcers crop up from the stomach does not hold true. It is the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine that comes just after the stomach where these ulcers are born.

Classification

The classification of the peptic ulcers is done on the basis of its location:

• The peptic ulcers located in the stomach are called gastric ulcer
• The peptic ulcers located in the duodenum called duodenal ulcers
• The peptic ulcers of the esophagus are called the esophageal ulcers
• The peptic ulcers in the Meckel’s Diverticulum are called the Meckel’s Diverticulum ulcers

The different types of peptic ulcers are:

• Type I: The ulcer along the lesser curve of stomach
• Type II: there are Two ulcers present here- one in gastric and one in duodenal
• Type III: the Prepyloric ulcer
• Type IV: the Proximal gastresophageal ulcer
• Type V: ulcers located Anywhere along gastric body, NSAID induced

Signs and symptoms:

• Pain in the abdomen
• Feeling full and bloated in the stomach
• Rush of saliva in the esophagus called water brash
• Vomiting and nausea
• Losing appetite as well as weight
• Blood vomit
• Foul smelling stool

Treatment of peptic/duodenal ulcers:

People who are undergoing any treatment with the help of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also prescribed to take prostagladin analogue (misoprostol) so as to subdue the side effects of NSAIDs that might induce peptic ulcers. Using a combination of two antibiotics like clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole and one of proton pump inhibitor at times in combination with bismuth compound is an effective treatment in case an infection is observed.