Write about Gastric Ulcers here.

• Occur mainly in the elderly

• On the lesser curve of the stomach (mainly)

• Ulcers elsewhere are more likely to be malignant

• Risk Factors:

• H. pylori (80%)

• Smoking

• NSAID

• Reflux of duodenal contents

• Delayed gastric emptying

• stress

• e.g. neurosurgery (Cushing's Ulcers)

• burns (Curling's Ulcers)

• Symptoms:

• May be asymptomatic

• Or cause epigastric pain (related to meals and relieved by antacids)

• Weight loss

• May also present with complications -> haematemasis, or perforation

• Tests:

• Upper GI endoscopy must be performed to exclude malignancy

• Take multiple biopsies from the rim and base of the ulcer (histology, H. pylori) and brushings (cytology)

Treatment of peptic ulcers