Peptic Ulcers.

Peptic ulcer is a composite name given to three types of ulcers:

• Esophageal ulcer
• Gastric ulcer
• Duodenal ulcer

As the names suggest, the   above  mentioned ulcers are found in the esophagus, the stomach and the duodenum respectively.  Peptic ulcer occurs due to the corrosive action   on  the  inner lining of the  esophagus, stomach and the duodenum, by the   acidic digestive juices secreted in the stomach and the duodenum.

The digestive juice from the stomach contains gastric acid   which  contains hydrochloric acid in dilution of 0.5%.

A small percentage of the gastric ulcers may be malignant while the duodenal ulcers are generally benign.

The peptic ulcer normally is preceded by acidity,    wherein  the person feels stomach pain or a burning sensation in the chest. Acidity, if not taken care of may manifest into ulcer formation after some period.

Diagnosis of Ulcers.

Diagnosis of peptic ulcer is done by a procedure whereby a gastro scope is inserted into the stomach through the mouth and the inner lining of the stomach and the duodenum are viewed directly. A gastro scope also has the facility  to  photograph  what is being viewed.  This procedure  is  called  gastroscopy or  endoscopy. Esophgogastroduodenoscopy ( EGD) is a name given to the scopy wherein the contents of the esophagus, the stomach and the duodenum  are directly viewed.

Peptic ulcer is very common and millions are spent every year on the treatment of this problem. However, the incidence has shown a marginal decrease, basically due to awareness and the   recent   studies which have  thrown  much light on  the major cause of  ulcers. ( explained in Causes of peptic ulcer.

Related posts:

1. Causes of Ulcers.
2. What are the Complications of Peptic Ulcer.