University:
Stanford University
Course:
MED 101 | Human Anatomy
Academic year:

2023
Views:

30

Pages:

2
Author:

larbi43100

‭Factors‬ ‭Drug factors‬‭-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs promote ulcer disease‬ ‭because they slow down the synthesis of prostaglandins which play an‬ ‭important role in maintaining the integrity of the duodenal mucosa. Aspirin can‬ ‭also be involved, even at a very low dose (75 mg/day).‬ ‭Genetic factors‬‭-DU is 3 times more common in cases‬‭of history‬ ‭in first generation ancestors.‬ ‭Health and diet factors‬‭-Smoking is associated with‬‭an increased frequency‬ ‭of DU, as well as a poorer response to treatment. Diet does not seem to play‬ ‭a significant role in the development of an ulcer, but excluding certain foods‬ ‭can relieve symptoms. Alcohol is not a direct cause, but liver cirrhosis is‬ ‭associated with an increased incidence of peptic ulcer disease.‬ ‭Psychological factors‬‭-They may play a significant‬‭role in ulcer activity, but‬ ‭studies remain controversial.‬ ‭Others‬‭-Hypercalcemia, encountered for example in cases‬‭of renal failure or‬ ‭hyperparathyroidism, stimulates the production of gastrin. It may thus be‬ ‭associated with an increased risk of ulcers.‬ ‭Duodenal ulcer‬‭-The clinical picture is dominated by‬‭epigastric pain‬ ‭(sometimes in the right part of the epigastrium), occurring 90 minutes to 3‬ ‭hours after a meal, which is often calmed quickly (a few minutes) by taking‬ ‭food or‬ ‭antacids. These pains occur daily for several days or weeks, before stopping for‬ ‭a variable period of time and then reappearing. Nocturnal pain (between‬ ‭midnight and 3 a.m.) is not uncommon.‬ ‭A few special cases should attract attention:‬ i‭f the pain becomes constant and is no longer calmed by food or‬ ‭antacids: think about possible penetration of the ulcer (subsequently,‬ ‭towards the pancreas);‬ ‭-‬ ‭if the pain increases when taking food or antacids and is‬ ‭possibly accompanied by vomiting: think of pyloric stenosis;‬ ‭-‬ ‭-‬ i‭f the pain is sudden, intense and generalized: think about perforation‬ ‭of the ulcer.‬