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According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, peptic ulcers affect up to 6% of people living in the United States. At his self-named practice in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, Jack Husney, MD, offers expert diagnostic tools and personalized treatments for peptic ulcers. Catching a peptic ulcer early on prevents dangerous complications. Make an appointment with the New York City office today or request a consultation on the website.
Ulcers Q & A
What is peptic ulcer disease?
Peptic ulcer disease occurs when an open sore forms inside your stomach, the upper portion of the small intestine, or the duodenum. They’re also called gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers.
When you have a peptic ulcer, the protective mucus layer inside your stomach wears away, allowing the powerful acid to eat away at the tissues lining the stomach. PUD often leads to abdominal pain and other symptoms that include:
- Belching or bloating
- Feeling full
- Burning stomach pain
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Fatty food intolerance
Although many people don’t have any signs of PUD, others have severe symptoms that include blood in the stool, vomiting blood, faintness, and unexplained weight loss.
What causes peptic ulcer disease?
Various problems lead to peptic ulcer disease, but the most common cause is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori. These bacteria live in the stomach lining.
Most people have H. pylori in their stomach lining without it causing problems. However, when the bacteria spreads, it leads to inflammation in the stomach lining and, ultimately, an ulcer.
Frequently using medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause PUD. NSAIDs irritate the stomach lining, especially when you don’t take them with food. Long-term use of these medications increases the risk of PUD.
Other lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and excess stress can also increase the chances of a peptic ulcer.
How is peptic ulcer disease treated?
After confirming you have a peptic ulcer through a review of your symptoms, an endoscopy, or a series of specialized X-rays, Dr. Husney recommends the best treatment to heal your ulcer.
The primary treatment for PUD is finding the underlying cause and treating it to prevent further ulcers. For instance, if you have an H. pylori infection, Dr. Husney offers antibiotics to clear the infection and allow the stomach to heal.
He may also prescribe medications like proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers to treat the symptoms related to PUD and let the ulcer heal completely.
Cutting back on NSAIDS, quitting smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation can all help prevent ulcers from getting worse or reforming after treatment.
To make an appointment for a peptic ulcer, contact the office in Brooklyn, New York, today or request a consultation on the website.