Perforated Ulcer

A perforated ulcer is commonly caused by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use or by H. pylori disease (up to one third may have no such history). Perforation with spillage of gastric or duodenal contents into the abdomen can lead to severe peritonitis.

Causes

• Perforated Ulcer can cause by the bacteria in the stomach such as Helicobacter pylori.
• Perforated Ulcer may also cause by the use of antirheumatic medicine, such as NSAIDs, or aspirin (eg Disprin).
• Perforated Ulcer may also occur due to stomach cancer.

Symptoms

• Severe abdominal pain of sudden onset ++++; may cause
  back pain in posterior penetrating ulcer
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Older patients may have only minimal pain +++.

Signs

• Diffuse abdominal pain with diminished bowel sounds
• Acute peritonitis
• Rigid abdomen +++
• Hypovolemia
• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Fever

Treatment

• You can treat the Perforated Ulcer by using some medications including antibiotics, to destroy the H. pylori colony, and drugs to help speed the healing process.
• Another treatment for Perforated Ulcer is Lifestyle modifications such as quitting cigarettes, since smoking reduces the natural defences in the stomach and impairs the healing process.
• You can also treat Perforated Ulcer by Surgery if you have bleeding, a perforation, or an obstruction. For the treatment of Perforated Ulcer is Endoscopic surgery that is used to stop bleeding. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube is inserted down the throat into the stomach or intestine. Then, heat, electricity, epinephrine, or a substance known as “fibrin glue” can be applied to the area of bleeding to help stop the blood flow.