What are the manifestations of duodenal ulcers?

The main manifestations of duodenal ulcers include: 1. **Epigastric pain**: The pain is usually located in the upper abdomen or mid-epigastric area. It often occurs when fasting, hungry, or at night, and is characterized by periodicity and regularity. The pain can be relieved by eating or taking acid-suppressing medications. It may present as dull, aching, distending, or burning pain, and can interfere with daily activities in severe cases. 2. **Dyspepsia**: Patients may experience dyspeptic symptoms such as acid regurgitation, heartburn, belching, abdominal distension, and a feeling of fullness. These symptoms are usually caused by gastric acid reflux or irritation of the gastric mucosa. 3. **Gastrointestinal bleeding**: When an ulcer penetrates the duodenal mucosa and damages blood vessels, it may cause hematemesis or melena. Minor bleeding may appear as dark red blood streaks in the stool, while massive bleeding may result in passage of bright red blood or clots in the stool. 4. **Other symptoms**: Such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal fullness, and bad breath. These symptoms may result from gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by the ulcer. In addition, long-standing or severe ulcers may also lead to systemic symptoms such as anemia, weight loss, and malnutrition.