Rare Symptoms of Ulcers by Jon Fisher

     As was mentioned in the last article, there are many people who suffer from ulcers,
both gastric and duodenal. One could assume that apart from the more common and
well known symptoms, there could be less common symptoms as well. While these
symptoms might be less common, for the most part, they are also more dangerous.


     The first that I would like to talk about isn't so much a symptom of ulcers but rather a rare underlying cause of ulcers. It is estimated that about one million people every year begin having ulcers that are actually caused by a tumor growing in either the pancreas or the duodenum. This is a condition known as ZES. The tumor forces extra production of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates the production of excess gastric acid. The only way to treat is for a doctor to recognize that the ulcer is caused by a tumor, and have it removed. Once the tumor is removed, the ulcer can be treated using any normal ulcer treatments. Nowadays, most doctors screen for cancer when diagnosing the ulcer.


     One very dangerous symptom, that is extremely rare is, ironically, to have no symptoms of ulcers. This is know as a silent ulcer. As you might expect due to the lack of symptoms, it is very hard to catch this. Scientists do not know why no typical symptoms occur such as heart burn or lack of appetite, but they seem to be more common among the elderly who frequently take NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) who have been treated in the past for ulcers. If not noticed accidentally, or by routine endoscopic examination, it usually ends up being the cause of death.


     The last uncommon symptom I will talk about is having blood in your stool. This is usually a sign that the ulcer is in the duodenum and is larger than normal. This usually happens if the ulcer goes untreated for a long period of time. Treatment for this symptom would be the usual treatment of a normal ulcer.


     The key to avoid these more serious symptoms is to have the symptoms diagnosed by a doctor and then to promptly treat the ulcer. Also it is important to be screened for ulcers regularly after the ulcer goes away, as those who have had an ulcer in the past are more likely to get another one.




References                                                                                                                                                     

Zollinger RM, Ellison EH (1955). "Primary peptic ulcerations of the jejunum associated with islet cell tumors of the pancreas". Ann. Surg. 142(4): 709–23; discussion, 724–8

Pounder R, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Academic Department of Medicine,
London, United Kingdom (1989). “Silent peptic ulceration: deadly silence or golden silence?” Gastroenterology. 1989 Feb;96(2 Pt 2 Suppl):626-31. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2642448


"Peptic Ulcer: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine -
National Institutes of Health. Ed. George F. Longstreth. Web. 06 Oct. 2011.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000206.htm