Generality
The piercing ulcer is a pathological condition that can affect the gastric or intestinal mucosa.
Specifically, the perforating ulcer consists of the rupture, then the perforation, of the wall of the bowel (stomach or intestine depending on the case).
Causes
The perforating ulcer, generally, constitutes a complication that can derive from a gastric ulcer or from a duodenal ulcer, neglected or inadequately treated.
More in detail, the perforated ulcer is formed when the lesions - in addition to compromising the gastrointestinal mucosa - propagate in depth, reaching also the basement membrane and passing it.
In turn, gastrointestinal ulcers can be caused by several factors, which can contribute to one another in the etiology of the disease. Among the most common triggers, we recall:
- Acid hypersecretion by acid-secreting cells of the stomach mucosa;
- Prolonged intake of certain gastrolesive drugs (such as, for example, NSAIDs);
- Infections supported by Helicobacter pylori .
However, fortunately, the appearance of the perforating ulcer as a complication of gastrointestinal ulcers is a rather rare phenomenon, but not impossible.
Symptoms and Complications
As one can easily imagine, the main symptom triggered by the piercing ulcer is a sudden and intense pain. This pain is often perceived as a strong burning sensation located in the area where the perforating ulcer was formed.
In association with typical pain, other symptoms may also occur, such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Furthermore, the perforating ulcer causes gastrointestinal haemorrhage, with the consequent emission of blood with vomiting (referred to as hematemesis ) and with feces, which therefore take on a dark color (in this case, we speak of melena ). In severe cases, patients may also experience shock and collapse.
Finally, if it is not treated promptly, the piercing ulcer can degenerate and lead to the onset of a serious complication: acute peritonitis.
Treatment
Currently, the only treatment available to permanently cure a perforating ulcer is surgery.
This operation - which must be carried out urgently as soon as the perforating ulcer is diagnosed - consists in the suturing of the part of the injured organ. This surgical suturing operation can be performed in laparoscopy; that is, it can be performed by making small incisions of about 1 cm, inside which a small video camera - called laparoscope - is inserted, which will guide the surgeon into the operation, and the tools necessary for the operation itself.
Naturally - in addition to proceeding with the immediate treatment of the perforation - it is also necessary to identify the primary cause underlying the onset of the ulcer and institute an adequate therapy.
Since the piercing ulcer is often the complication of inadequately treated gastrointestinal ulcers, it is clear that patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer or duodenal ulcer should not neglect it in any way.
Once the diagnosis has been made and the triggering cause has been ascertained, the doctor will prescribe the administration of drugs suitable for his treatment, such as, for example, proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists. If the ulcers were caused by Helicobacter pylori infections, then the doctor will also establish an appropriate antibiotic therapy.
For more information, see the articles:
- Medicines to cure ulcers
- Peptic Ulcer Treatment
- Triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Diet and Lifestyle
Naturally, following surgery performed to treat the perforating ulcer, patients must adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle.
In this regard, very fatty foods or those that can further irritate the gastrointestinal walls, such as coffee, spicy foods, citrus fruits, unripe fruit and tomatoes, should be avoided.
At the same time, the patient should avoid consuming alcohol of any kind and should also refrain from smoking.
The aforementioned measures, relating to lifestyle and diet - as well as being followed by all patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of the perforating ulcer - should also be followed by those to which diseases such as gastritis, duodenitis and gastrointestinal ulcers have been diagnosed, whose complications include the same perforating ulcer.
Also read: Diet and Gastritis - Example of Gastritis Diet
