A duodenal ulcer is a wound which postulates in the lining of the duodenum, the lower section of your little intestine. It is a part of a category of ulcers known as peptic ulcers and is often associated with a burning/gnawing sensation on an empty stomach.
You may experience:
Several factors can lead to a duodenal ulcer:
H. pylori infection can be eliminated using two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for 10-14 days.
PPIs (e.g., esomeprazole or omeprazole daily) or H₂-receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine) help reduce stomach acid and promote ulcer healing.
Sucralfate or misoprostol are used to coat the ulcerated area and provide a protective barrier.
If symptoms do not improve, follow-up endoscopy is recommended to confirm healing or detect any complications.
Avoid NSAIDs when possible, quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, and manage stress to prevent ulcer recurrence.
Eat small, frequent meals and avoid irritating, acidic, or spicy foods that can worsen discomfort.
In GastroDoxs, Katy, we use next-level diagnostic equipment such as endoscopy and accurate H. pylori testing and apply a wise, patient-focused care method. Our gastroenterologist (board-certified) will develop a unique treatment plan that will minimize its symptoms, provide a healing effect, and assist you to resume doing the things that bring you joy.
Would you like to relieve pain caused by the duodenal ulcer? Make a reservation and take a step to improve your digestion today.
We've successfully treated more than 1.3K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
The code of ICD-10 is based on the type of ulcer; majority of duodenal ulcers will be coded between K26.0 and K26.9.
K26.1 is to be used in case of a bleeding perforated duodenal ulcer.
The pain caused by duodenal ulcers usually disappears after consumption, but in case of gastric ulcers, it tends to increase with food.
Symptoms such as upper abdominal pain that builds up and gnaws or burns, bloating, nausea, and occasionally black or dark stools which are felt in the case of bleeding can be very common.
A CT scan can sometimes reveal an ulcer but the endoscopy is the gold standard that shows a clear and direct image.
Triple therapy involves an antibiotic plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which is normally used over 10-14 days to eliminate H. pylori infection.
To identify H. pylori, diagnosis is usually a stage where an upper endoscopy can be performed to visualize the ulcer and tests (breath, blood, stool) or biopsy takes place.
Most individuals respond appropriately with proper treatment and lifestyle modification changes, thereby showing a considerable improvement after 4-8 weeks.
H. pylori bacterium infection and long-term use of NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen are the most prevalent causes of the disease.
It is advisable to visit a gastroenterologist in the case of the persistent or recurrent abdominal pain, bleeding (dark stools), or unresponsive symptoms to initial treatment.
