Burning stomach pain can be a warning sign of peptic ulcer disease. GI Associates of Maryland offers customized care plans to prevent complications from untreated ulcers. The experienced medical team also provides endoscopic evaluations on-site to identify ulcers quickly so there are no delays in your treatment. Call the Waldorf, Maryland office to schedule a diagnostic for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, or book a consultation online today.
A peptic ulcer describes a sore that develops in the stomach lining or the duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. The condition is called peptic ulcer disease (PUD) when you have recurrent ulcers.
Peptic ulcers develop when your digestive tract doesn’t have enough mucus to protect itself from acid damage. A decrease in mucus can result from long-term use of anti-inflammatory medications or excessive alcohol use. An H. pylori bacterium infection can also increase inflammation in the stomach lining.
GI Associates of Maryland offer diagnostic testing and treatment services for peptic ulcers and PUD. The providers focus on relieving your symptoms and preventing complications resulting from untreated ulcers.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at GI Associates of Maryland if you have burning stomach pain that persists for several days or weeks; this pain may lessen after you eat but return when your stomach is empty.
Other symptoms of peptic ulcer disease can include:
The providers offer X-rays, H. pylori tests, and tissue biopsies to confirm peptic ulcer disease and also provide endoscopy procedures in the endoscopy suite next door.
Based on the test results and the severity of your symptoms, the team customizes a care plan to help you feel better and lower your risk for more complications.
Your treatment plan for peptic ulcer disease may include one or more therapies to alleviate stomach pain and other symptoms.
GI Associates of Maryland offers PUD treatments, including:
Antibiotics destroy H. pylori bacteria in the digestive tract to clear the infection and relieve related symptoms.
Antacids neutralize stomach acids to ease indigestion, hiccups, and gas.
H2 blockers reduce stomach acid production to reduce pain and support the healing of your digestive tract.
Proton pump inhibitors block the cells that produce stomach acids to prevent indigestion and pain.
The medical team can also provide resources to improve your diet, such as eating fresh produce and whole grains while your ulcers heal. An effective way to keep peptic ulcers from returning is to limit alcohol and quit smoking.
Call GI Associates of Maryland to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease or book a consultation online today.