Medical science recognizes peptic ulcer disease as the most common disease of the digestive system. The onset of this ailment is associated with the harmful, intense effect of gastric juice on the walls and mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. This process is accompanied by the formation of sores, cracks, and ulcers in the gastroduodenal zone. Typically, this disease is chronic and troubles the patient with acute relapses. According to some data, it is believed that men suffer from peptic ulcer disease more often than women.
Causes
There are many diverse factors contributing to the development of peptic ulcer disease, but the main cause is considered to be the weakening of the protective mechanism of the mucous membrane. In most cases, the condition for this is infection with Helicobacter Pylori. This infection leads to destructive violations of the protective membrane and the emergence of ulcerative pathologies. Prolonged use of medications (antibiotics, sleeping pills, painkillers) has a significant impact on the growth of pathogenic formations. Specialists also highlight psychological causes, stress, emotional trauma, anxious sleep, irregular eating habits, bad habits, and genetic predisposition.
Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease in Israel
In some patients, peptic ulcer disease may develop without pronounced symptoms, and unfortunately, patients come for examinations at a time when the disease has already progressed and requires urgent treatment.
Among the main symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, the following can be highlighted:
- sharp and dull pains in the abdominal area related to food intake;
- persistent heartburn;
- acid regurgitation;
- decreased appetite, weight loss;
Quality and productive treatment depend on accurate diagnostic research indicators.
At Ichilov clinic, the following types of examinations are provided to detect ulcer diseases:
- Blood, urine, stool tests;
- MRI, ultrasound;
- Intragastric pH-metry;
- Gastroscopy;
- Endoscopic examination of the stomach;
- X-ray examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract with contrast agent;
- Biopsy with histopathology;
- Electrogastroenterography.
Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease in Israel
Treatment of peptic ulcer disease depends on the extent of damage to the stomach and duodenum. Typically, timely consultation with a gastroenterologist significantly alleviates the treatment process and accelerates recovery.
At Ichilov clinic, specialists in the gastroenterology department practice two approaches to treating these diseases – conservative treatment (using modern medications) and surgical (in more advanced stages of the disease).
Conservative treatment is conducted using the following types of medications:
- Medications to reduce acid production;
- Antibiotics that eliminate Helicobacter Pylori;
- Antacids to neutralize acid;
- Medications that strengthen the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine.
Surgical intervention is typically performed in more complex cases. It should be noted that surgeries performed by specialists at Ichilov clinic aim to preserve tissues, organs, and vessels, and are as minimally invasive as possible. Even complex, extensive surgeries for gastric resection performed by professionals at Ichilov clinic do not carry significant traumatic consequences and maintain the functionality of the organ system.
The clinic successfully practices the following types of surgeries:
- Colonoscopy with lesion removal;
- Sleeve gastrectomy;
- Endoscopic surgery (the most minimally invasive type of surgery using punctures);
- Truncal vagotomy;
- Selective gastric vagotomy.