Complications of Peptic Ulcers

An ulcer is a sore or lesion that develops in the lining of the digestive tract. Ulcers in the Peptic ulcers are those that develop in the stomach or duodenum.

If ulcers aren't treated or treatment isn't effective, serious complications may occur. The most common complications include bleeding, perforation of the stomach or duodenal walls, and obstruction of the digestive tract.

Bleeding

As an ulcer erodes the muscles of the stomach or duodenal wall, blood vessels may also be damaged, which causes the bleeding. If the affected blood vessels are small, the blood may slowly seep into the digestive tract. Over a long period of time, a person may become anemic. If a damaged blood vessel is large, bleeding is dangerous and requires prompt medical attention. The symptoms of bleeding include feeling weak and dizzy when standing, vomiting blood, or fainting. The stool may become a tarry, black color from the blood. Most bleeding ulcers can be treated endoscopically by locating the ulcer and cauterizing the blood vessel with a heating device or injecting it with material to stop bleeding. If endoscopic treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be required.

Perforation

Sometimes an ulcer eats a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum. Bacteria and partially digested food can spill through the opening into the sterile abdominal cavity (peritoneum). A perforated ulcer can cause peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity and wall. The symptoms of a perforated ulcer include sudden, sharp, severe pain. Immediate hospitalization and surgery are usually required.

Narrowing and Obstruction

Ulcers located at the end of the stomach where the duodenum is attached may cause swelling and scarring. These ulcers can narrow or close the intestinal opening and can prevent food from leaving the stomach and entering the small intestine. As a result, a person may vomit the contents of the stomach. Endoscopic balloon dilation may be performed. The endoscopic balloon procedure uses a balloon to force open a narrowed passage. If the dilation does not relieve the problem, then surgery may be necessary.

Causes

Ulcers form when the protective lining of the stomach or duodenum (known as the mucosa and submucosa) becomes eroded. Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms, but large ulcers can cause serious bleeding. Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. If the ulcer erodes beyond that, a hole can open that goes all the way through the intestine, called a perforation of the intestinal lining. A perforation is a medical emergency.

Despite the popular belief that peptic ulcers are caused by spicy foods or stress, the reality is that most of the time, peptic ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) or use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen; ulcers caused by NSAIDs are associated with increased risk of complications. Most ulcers can be treated with medications, including antibiotics. But surgery may be needed in some cases.