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Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease

A peptic ulcer is a sore on the tissue lining of the stomach. When the ulcer creates a hole inside the tissue lining it is called a perforated peptic ulcer. This type of ulcer can be life-threatening and immediate medical attention should be sought.

  1. Causes

    • A common cause of peptic ulcers are a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. Long-term use of medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, smoking, alcohol and stress may also contribute to ulcer formation. Spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but they can make them worse.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a perforated peptic ulcer include sudden intense pain in the upper stomach area, tenderness in the stomach area, dizziness, shallow breathing, chills, paleness and rapid heart rate. Other symptoms may include a pain radiating to the back and pain that becomes worse at night.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis will include blood tests, stool samples and x-rays of the stomach. A blood test and stool sample can detect the bacterium H. pylori. In an x-ray of the upper GI tract, you will drink a metallic white solution that will coat your digestive tract showing the location and severity of the ulcer. An endoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor threads a thin lighted scope down your throat into your stomach to view the ulcer. He may take a tissue sample from the ulcer to biopsy.

    Treatment

    • A perforated peptic ulcer is normally an emergency situation because of the internal bleeding it causes. You will be given blood and surgery will be required to close the hole the ulcer has caused. You will be closely monitored to make sure the bleeding has stopped. After hospitalization, you will be given antibiotics such as Amoxil and Biaxin to fight any infection or destroy the H. pylori bacterium if it is present. Over the counter antacids and acid blockers such as Zantac may be recommended by your doctor to slow or prevent acid production.

    Recovery

    • The length of time for recovery will depend on how difficult surgery was and if there were any complications. Normally you should feel better within two to three weeks, but it may take 6-8 weeks before you are fully recovered. Follow your doctor's instructions on medications he may prescribe or any over the counter drugs he may recommend to help keep existing peptic ulcers from worsening or ulcers from forming.

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