Peptic Ulcer Disease
Start with the big picture
PUD commonly results from H. pylori infection, NSAID use, or stress-related mucosal damage. Acid, pepsin, and these causes contribute to injury, while mucus–bicarbonate, prostaglandins, and mucosal blood flow help protect the lining. Alarm features—including gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, or persistent vomiting—call for prompt evaluation. Endoscopy with biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard; urea breath and stool antigen tests can assess H. pylori. Management depends on the cause and may include H. pylori eradication regimens, stopping NSAIDs when possible, and acid suppression. The deeper lesson also addresses complications, prophylaxis, maintenance therapy, and key cautions when using proton pump inhibitors.
What you'll learn
- Define PUD and distinguish its major causes from less common causes.
- Explain how aggressive and protective factors affect the gastrointestinal mucosa.
- Recognize alarm features and identify diagnostic approaches for PUD and H. pylori.
- Summarize treatment and prevention strategies for H. pylori- and NSAID-associated ulcers.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
