Disease: peptic ulcer
Question: for peptic ulcer, the different types of ulcers?
Answer: There are a few types of ulcers, including:
arterial ulcers
venous ulcers
mouth ulcers
genital ulcers
Arterial ulcers
Arterial (ischemic) ulcers are open sores that primarily develop on the smaller side of arterioles and capillaries, most often around the outer side of your ankle, feet, toes, and heels.
Arterial ulcers develop from damage to the arteries due to a lack of blood flow to the tissue. Arterial ulcers are also sometimes found in the gut in individuals who are ill and have poor blood pressure in general.
These forms of ulcers can take months to heal and require proper treatment to prevent infection and further complications.
Arterial ulcers have a �punched out� appearance accompanied by a number of symptoms, including:
red, yellow, or black sores
hairless skin
leg pain
no bleeding
affected area cool to the touch from minimal blood circulation
Treatment for arterial ulcers depends on the underlying cause. Primary treatment includes restoring blood circulation to the affected area.
While antibiotics may help reduce symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to increase blood flow to your tissues and organs. In more severe circumstances, your doctor may recommend amputation.
Venous ulcers
Venous ulcers � the most common type of leg ulcers � are open wounds that often form on your leg, below your knee, and on the inner area of your ankle. They typically develop from damage to your veins caused by insufficient blood flow back to your heart.
In some cases, venous ulcers cause little to no pain unless they�re infected. Other cases of this condition can be very painful.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
inflammation
swelling
itchy skin
scabbing
discharge
Venous ulcers can take months to fully heal. In rare cases, they may never heal. Treatment focuses on improving flow to the affected area. Antibiotics can help prevent infection and reduce symptoms, but they aren�t enough to heal venous ulcers.
Alongside medication, your doctor may recommend surgery or compression therapy to increase blood flow.
Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores or wounds that can develop on:
the inside lining of your stomach
the upper portion of your small intestine
your esophagus
They form when digestive juices damage the walls of your stomach or intestine. These ulcers are quite common.
Peptic ulcers are most often caused by inflammation after contracting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or through long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
There are two types of peptic ulcers:
gastric ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the stomach lining
duodenal ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the duodenum (small intestine)
The most common symptom of this condition is a burning sensation. Other symptoms may include:
bloating or the feeling of being full
belching
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
unexplained weight loss
chest pain
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your ulcer. If you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria.
For the majority of peptic ulcer cases, acid-lowering medication regimens are generally prescribed to help protect the mucosal lining from stomach acid so it has time to heal.
Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are small sores or lesions that develop in your mouth or the base of your gums. They�re commonly known as canker sores.
These ulcers are triggered by a number of causes
, including:
stress
hormonal changes
vitamin deficiencies
bacterial infection
diseases
Mouth ulcers are common and often go away within 2 weeks. They can be uncomfortable but shouldn�t cause significant pain. If a mouth ulcer is extremely painful or doesn�t go away within 2 weeks, seek immediate medical attention.
Minor mouth ulcers appear as small, round ulcers that leave no scarring. In more severe cases, they can develop into larger and deeper wounds. Other serious symptoms associated with this type of ulcer may include:
unusually slow healing (lasting longer than 3 weeks)
ulcers that extend to your lips
issues eating or drinking
fever
diarrhea
Mouth ulcers often go away on their own without treatment. If they become painful, your doctor or dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouthwash or ointment to reduce your discomfort.
If your condition is the result of a more serious infection, seek medical attention to receive the best treatment.
Genital ulcers
Genital ulcers are sores that develop on genital areas, including the penis, vagina, anus, or surrounding areas. They are usually caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but genital ulcers can also be triggered by trauma, inflammatory diseases, or even, in some cases
, an Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) infection.
In addition to sores, symptoms that may accompany genital ulcers include:
rash or bumps in the affected area
pain or itching
swollen glands in the groin area
fever
Similar to other types of ulcers, treatment depends on the underlying cause of your condition. In some cases, these sores will go away on their own. If diagnosed with an STI, your doctor may prescribe antiviral or antibiotic medication or ointment. If you feel you�ve been exposed to an STI, seek immediate medical attention.