Peptic Ulcer Disease Specialists for Treating Peptic Ulcer
Find relief from Peptic Ulcers with Triboroughgi’s personalized care and advanced technology.
Peptic Ulcers can be a painful and disruptive condition, but with the right treatment, you can find relief and improve your quality of life. At Triboroughgi Gastroenterologist, we specialize in providing effective Peptic Ulcer treatment with personalized care and advanced technology.
Our team of experienced gastroenterologists will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your individual needs and provides lasting relief. With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health.
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Peptic Ulcer Disease Specialist: Discover the Benefits of Their Treatments
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.
- Expert care from a team of experienced gastroenterologists.
- Advanced technology for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
- Relief from Peptic Ulcer pain and discomfort.
- Improved quality of life and peace of mind.
Our Peptic Ulcer Specialists
Our team of gastroenterologists is dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized treatment plans for every patient. We have the expertise and experience needed to effectively manage Peptic Ulcers and help you achieve optimal health.
Where are we located?
Our clinic is conveniently located in the heart of the city, making it easy for you to access the care you need.
Our Locations
Important information about Peptic Ulcer
Yevgeniy Mikityanskiy, DO. Talks to us about this stomach illness:
Peptic Ulcers can become extremely serious if left untreated, leading to much more serious symptoms such as:
- Internal bleeding possibly leading to anemia over time or severe enough to require hospitalization and a blood transfusion.
- An obstruction of your digestive tract that may block the passage of food.
What is a Peptic Ulcer?
A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the digestive tract. These sores are most often caused by an infection of H. Pylori or long-term use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Peptic ulcers are categorized into 2 groups according to their location:
- Gastric ulcers, ulcers that occur in the stomach
- Duodenal ulcers, ulcers occurring in the duodenum, on the inside of the upper portion of the small intestine.
Approximately 500,000 people develop peptic ulcer disease each year in the United States.1 In 70% of patients, it occurs between the ages of 25 and 64 years. However, the incidence of peptic ulcers is declining, possibly as a result of more effective treatments and decreasing rates of Helicobacter pylori infection
Are Peptic Ulcers serious?
Peptic Ulcers can become extremely serious if left untreated, leading to much more serious symptoms such as:
- Internal bleeding possibly leading to anemia over time or severe enough to require hospitalization and a blood transfusion.
- An obstruction of your digestive tract that may block the passage of food.
- Peritonitis is a serious infection of the abdominal cavity that occurs when an ulcer perforates through the stomach wall or small intestine.
Symptoms
Peptic ulcer disease presents with gastrointestinal symptoms similar to dyspepsia and can be difficult to distinguish clinically. It can have potentially serious complications such as bleeding or perforation, with a high risk of mortality2.
As mentioned above there are many symptoms of an ulcer. However, a lot of them also occur in other digestive disorders such. It is important to see your Triborough GI doctor so they can diagnose your condition.
- Burning stomach pain with increasing severity when your stomach is empty and may be temporarily relieved by antacids or eating a small, bland meal.
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Intolerance of fatty or spicy foods
- Bloating
- Increased belching
Less frequently, ulcers may cause severe symptoms such as:
- Feeling faint
- Unexplained weight loss
- Trouble breathing
- Appetite changes
- Vomiting or Vomiting Blood
- Dark blood in stools
Causes
The search for the causes of peptic ulcer has been a long one and, to some extent, most of the culprits that have been seriously considered have some evidence to support that they play at least a secondary role. Acid (and probably pepsin) is a necessary ingredient, but most of the time it does not initiate ulcerogenesis by itself. So at the end of this investigative path and based on evidence it can be determined that there are two main culprits3:
- Regular use of aspirin and other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can irritate and inflame the tissue lining your stomach or small intestine and lead to ulcers.
- An infection related to H. pylori can lead to peptic ulcers. These bacteria usually don’t cause problems but can lead to inflammation of the stomach’s inner layer and eventually produce an ulcer.
Cigarette smoking is a risk factor and chronic life difficulties has been shown to sometimes play a part, but we would now think that they play only minor roles to possibly tip the balance when a major etiologic factor is already presentis by itself. So at the end of this investigative path and based on evidence it can be determined that there are two main culprits.
Diagnostic
If a patient has symptoms of gastric ulcer, it is important to evaluate for warning signs. If there is anemia, bloody vomiting, black or bloody stools, bleeding is suggested. If there is vomiting, there may be an obstruction. If there is a lack of appetite or weight loss, it may be cancer. If the pain in the upper abdomen radiates to the back, it may be a perforation. If the pain is very severe and spreads, there may also be a perforation. If the patient is over 55 years of age or there are warning signs, an endoscopy is recommended. This test is more accurate in detecting ulcers than barium X-rays and also allows a sample to be taken from the stomach4.
If the patient is younger than 55 years of age and there are no warning signs, a test for H. pylori infection should be performed, and smoking, alcohol, and drug cessation are recommended. The presence of H. pylori can be confirmed by a blood test, breath test, or biopsy during endoscopy. The blood test is less accurate and is only useful for detecting the initial infection. The breath test is more accurate and can also be used to confirm that the infection has been cured, as can the stool antigen test.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of the ulcer, different treatments may be advised:
- Antibiotics to kill H. Pylori resides in the digestive tract. These antibiotics may include amoxicillin (Amoxil), clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), tetracycline (Tetracycline HCL) and levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- If the Ulcer is located in the stomach, PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) may be prescribed to lower the amount of acid in your stomach and promote healing.
- Another medication that can lower the amount of acid in the stomach is a histamine blocker. Histamine blockers are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. These medications include famotidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine (Axid AR)
- Antacids can also be used for pain relief
Once the specialists at Triborough GI determine the cause of your ulcer, they can develop an effective treatment strategy to relieve your symptoms and heal the ulcer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the ulcers and the treatment used. Most people feel better within a few weeks of starting treatment.
You can schedule a consultation by calling our office or filling out our online appointment request form. Our team will work with you to find a convenient time for your visit.
To help prevent Peptic Ulcers, it’s important to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these habits can increase your risk. You should also avoid taking NSAIDs or aspirin unless your doctor has prescribed them for a specific condition.
While stress is not a direct cause of Peptic Ulcers, it can exacerbate existing ulcers and delay healing. It’s important to manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and other healthy habits.
Surgery is usually not the first line of treatment for Peptic Ulcers. Most people can find relief with medications and lifestyle changes. However, if your ulcers are causing complications or not responding to other treatments, surgery may be needed.
Triborough GI has the top NYC gastroenterologists in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Our doctors provide only the most specialized and extensive care. Our motto is that the patient’s care comes first! Highly reputable and top-rated in NYC, our gastroenterologists will thoroughly examine, diagnose, and treat your peptic ulcer.
Schedule an appointment at (718) 795-2734 today with one of our Triborough GI doctors at our Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Bronx locations for any questions or concerns you have.
References
- Ramakrishnan, K., & Salinas, R. C. (2007). Peptic ulcer disease. American Family Physician, 76(7), 1005-1012.
- Sverdén, E., Agréus, L., Dunn, J. M., & Lagergren, J. (2019). Peptic ulcer disease. Bmj, 367.
- Yeomans, N. D. (2011). The ulcer sleuths: the search for the cause of peptic ulcers. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 26, 35-41.
- Ramakrishnan, K., & Salinas, R. C. (2007). Peptic ulcer disease. American Family Physician, 76(7), 1005-1012.
