Patient was educated on symptoms of peptic ulcer development as follows:
- Dyspepsia and indigestion
- H. pylori, the bacterium causing the peptic ulcers, breaks down urea in the stomach and will produce ammonia.
- The ammonia produced will neutralize the acid in the stomach.
- Gastric acid is needed for digestion of food and neutralization of the acid results in poor digestion of food and dyspepsia.
- Abdominal pain
- Damage to the mucus layer provides access for the acid to attack the inner lining of stomach and intestines.
- This results in inflammation, upper abdominal pain, and discomfort.
- Sometimes, the pain can radiate to the back and can present as a back pain.
- Heartburn
- An intense feeling of heartburn can occur due to the acid in the stomach trying to move up into the esophagus.
- This acid reflux can cause severe burning sensation in the throat and often cause sleep disturbances during the night, resulting in restlessness.
- Bloating and abdominal fullness
- These symptoms are secondary to the indigestion that patients with peptic ulcers often experience.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chronic non-healing peptic ulcers can result in long term indigestion and contribute towards poor nutrient absorption, thereby, resulting in malnutrition and weight loss.
