Complications of untreated peptic ulcer disease The most common complication of PUD is gastrointestinal blood loss. Occasionally, asymptomatic patients are found to be anemic on routine blood work. Other times, patients may present to the emergency room with significant GI tract bleeding. GI bleeding from PUD is treated with PPI therapy and removal of the …
How is dyspepsia treated? Treatment of dyspepsia depends on the underlying cause. If Hp is present, treatment is directed against the pathogenic organism. Common drug regimens include 10- to 14-day courses of triple (proton pump inhibitor [PPI], clarithromycin and amoxicillin) or quadruple therapy (PPI, bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole and tetracycline). If there is no evidence of …
What tests may be used to diagnose common causes of dyspepsia? PUD is commonly evaluated with upper endoscopy. If an endoscopy is performed, identification of Hp can be obtained via biopsies and visualization under a microscope. In addition to endoscopy, Hp can be diagnosed with breath, stool, or blood testing. Hp breath testing is based …
Alarm symptoms of dyspepsia What alarm features should be elicited in dyspepsia? Alarm signs may be manifestations of a serious underlying organic pathology. Examples of alarm signs include unintentional weight loss, persistent vomiting, bleeding (hematemesis or melena), dysphagia, and family history of gastric cancer. Patients with alarm signs should have a thorough medical workup prior …
What is the most common organic cause of dyspepsia? Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is the most common organic cause of dyspepsia. PUD is a term used to describe ulcerations and erosions in the stomach and duodenum. PUD can be due to a number of causes, but the most common include infection with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) bacteria or …
What is dyspepsia, and how is it classified? Dyspepsia is a broad term used to describe persistent or recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptoms. It is characterized by sensations of abdominal fullness, epigastric pain, or burning. It is also commonly associated with other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including nausea, vomiting, bloating, distention, early satiety, and weight loss. Dyspepsia …
What historical attributes must always be asked about when obtaining the history from a patient with abdominal pain? The mnemonic PQRST provides a framework that ensures a full exploration of a given patient’s abdominal pain: P: Factors that p alliate or p rovoke abdominal pain. For example, pain from pancreatitis is improved with sitting forward. Pain from kidney stones …