Differences Between Gastric Ulcers and Duodenal Ulcers
Disease description:
I have a gastric ulcer and have been taking medication for the past few days. I really want to ask the doctor about the difference between gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are common diseases of the digestive system. Both fall within the category of peptic ulcers, but there are some differences between them.
1. Location
Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach, while duodenal ulcers develop in the first part of the duodenum, immediately adjacent to the stomach.
2. Causes
Gastric ulcers are often associated with excessive gastric acid secretion, Helicobacter pylori infection, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other factors. Duodenal ulcers are more commonly linked to H. pylori infection and abnormal gastric acid secretion, particularly excessive acid production.
3. Treatment
Gastric ulcers typically require 6 to 8 weeks of acid-suppressive medication, whereas duodenal ulcers usually need 4 to 6 weeks of such treatment.
4. Prognosis
The prognosis for gastric ulcers is relatively poorer, with a higher likelihood of recurrence and a certain risk of malignant transformation. In contrast, duodenal ulcers do not undergo cancerous changes.
