Can duodenal ulcers cause diarrhea?
Disease description:
I recently went to the hospital for examination due to recurring abdominal pain when fasting, and was diagnosed with duodenal ulcer. However, I have experienced some diarrhea in the past few days. Therefore, I wonder: can a duodenal ulcer cause diarrhea?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Duodenal ulcers may cause diarrhea, primarily due to multiple contributing factors:
1. Helicobacter pylori infection: As a common cause of duodenal ulcers, H. pylori infection can damage the gastrointestinal mucosa and affect its function, potentially leading to diarrhea.
2. Excessive gastric acid secretion: Gastric acid reflux into the intestines may irritate the intestinal mucosa, causing intestinal dysfunction and resulting in diarrhea.
3. Medication factors: Long-term use of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may injure the gastric mucosa and affect intestinal function, causing diarrhea.
4. Other factors: Intestinal dysbiosis, improper diet, and other factors may also lead to diarrhea in patients with duodenal ulcers.
