10 Gastric Ulcer Symptoms
Symptom #2: Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a medical term used to describe the disruption of the swallowing process that interferes with a person’s ability to ingest food. Patients may have trouble with the passage of liquids or solids from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia has many possible causes. It can be seen in severe PUD, esophagitis (i.e. GERD), motility disorders (i.e. achalasia), structural disorders (i.e. diverticulum, strictures, rings, fistulas), muscular disorders, as a side effect of drugs, etc.
Generally, clinical findings in patients with uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are minimal. However, among alarm symptoms that warrant immediate gastroenterology referral are recent sustained weight loss, progressive dysphagia or odynophagia, and recurrent vomiting. These symptoms can indicate a gastric outlet obstruction from a duodenal ulcer. These patients will also report bloating and fullness with nausea and vomiting occurring several hours after food intake.
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