Erosion of the walls of the duodenum is a very common disease that affects people regardless of age and gender. The disease is accompanied by superficial damage to the mucous membrane, which, of course, affects the functioning of the digestive system. Treatment of erosion of the duodenum 12 can be successfully carried out with the help of correctly selected medicines and diet, but only if the disease was diagnosed on time.
That is why it is worth getting acquainted with additional information about the disease. Why does erosion develop, and then a duodenal ulcer? Symptoms and treatment, causes and risk factors are important information that should not be ignored. So is it possible to protect yourself from the development of the disease?
Where is the duodenum 12 located? General organ information
To begin with, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the anatomical features of the intestine. Where is the duodenum 12 located? What are the functions of this body? This information needs to be studied.
The duodenum is the initial part of the small intestine. It begins immediately after the pylorus, consists of the upper, descending, horizontal and ascending parts. It is in this part that intestinal digestion begins.
Food enters the duodenum from the stomach. Here, the pH of the slurry (initially acidic) is reduced to alkaline, which is necessary for normal digestion in the distal small intestine. This section of the digestive tract also initiates and regulates the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice (in the pancreas).
The mucous membrane of the duodenum 12 has a special structure, which makes it resistant to the aggressive effects of gastric and pancreatic juice, concentrated bile. Erosion is said if the mucous membrane begins to gradually collapse. Such a pathological process negatively affects the digestion processes and in the absence of therapy entails dangerous consequences.
The main causes of the development of the disease
Modern medicine knows a huge number of factors, the impact of which leads to the destruction of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. First of all, it is worth mentioning Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter pylori is often accompanied by damage to the walls of the stomach and intestines. Aphthous erosion of the duodenal bulb often occurs already against the background of the existing inflammatory process in this part of the digestive tract.
Of course, these are far from all factors. Causes of duodenal erosion can be as follows:
- acute form of infectious gastroenteritis, especially if the patient has not received timely medical care;
- chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucous membranes, which is in no way associated with the activity of Helicobacter pylori infection;
- improper nutrition (the constant use of hot, too spicy and fried foods, addiction to spices, alcohol and coffee negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system, increases the level of acidity, which ultimately leads to irritation and destruction of the mucous membranes);
- long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), improper use of antibiotics, hormonal therapy;
- liver disease, chronic form of pancreatitis;
- smoking is potentially dangerous.
Do not neglect the psycho-emotional factor. Depressive disorders, constant stress, emotional overstrain - all this directly affects the level of certain hormones, affects the work of all organ systems, including digestive.
What symptoms should I look for?
Of course, the ailment can occur in different ways. Much depends on the form of the disease and the degree of damage to the mucous membranes of the organ. Acute erosion of the duodenum 12, as a rule, is accompanied by severe pain in the stomach. Sometimes unpleasant sensations appear on an empty stomach, and sometimes intensify after eating. The pain can be aching or cramping. Patients also complain of recurring nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
Sometimes in the vomit there are impurities of the blood, which indicates damage to the vessels. If there is hidden bleeding, the clinical picture is supplemented by other symptoms, in particular pallor of the skin, weakness, lethargy, apathy, dizziness (these disorders are associated with a decrease in hemoglobin level and the development of anemia).
Diagnosis: how to determine the presence of a disease?
Extremely important in this case is the correct diagnosis. Erosion of the duodenum 12, of course, is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, but to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor needs to get acquainted with the results of medical tests.
- It is very important to collect the fullest possible history. According to statistics, in about 10-15% of cases, the development of erosion is due to a genetic predisposition.
- In the future, the patient is sent for analysis. A blood test allows you to notice a decrease in hemoglobin, diagnose anemia. Mandatory is the analysis of feces for the presence of occult blood.
- Additionally, tests for bacterial microflora are carried out.
- The most informative is fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy. Using a special probe, the doctor carefully examines the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, which makes it possible to detect areas affected by erosion. Sometimes the procedure is supplemented with a biopsy (sampling is needed in order to exclude the likelihood of developing malignant tissue degeneration).
- Additionally, fluoroscopy, computed or magnetic resonance imaging. Such procedures can determine the presence of tumors, examine the nearby lymph nodes, etc.
The basic principles of drug therapy
Such a pathology requires an integrated approach. All drugs are selected by the attending physician. In this case, it is necessary not only to stop the further progression of the disease, but also to eliminate the cause of erosion.
- If there is a bacterial infection (including Helicobacter pylori infection), then patients are prescribed macrolides or penicillin antibiotics.
- Antisecretory drugs and antacids are another part of the treatment of duodenal erosion. Omez, Maalox, Phosphalugel, Ranitidine tablets have enveloping properties. Such drugs also inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid, thereby protecting the mucous membranes from irritation and further destruction.
- Domperidone, Cerucal and other prokinetics help to cope with nausea and vomiting, normalize the motility of the walls of the digestive tract.
- Patients are also prescribed vitamin complexes in the form of injections. This helps to cope with anemia, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, accelerate the healing processes of tissues.
- If bleeding occurs, then doctors recommend taking angioprotectors.
- In case of anemia, iron preparations may be included in the treatment regimen.
- Probiotics help restore normal microflora and improve digestion.
- If the cause of the development of the disease was psycho-emotional overstrain, then sedation medication is included in the treatment regimen.
Diet therapy
As a rule, with the help of medicines, it is possible to take control of the further development of erosion of the duodenum 12. Diet with such a disease is extremely important, since many products irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, only further exacerbating the situation. That is why patients are advised to adhere to certain rules:
- Fractional nutrition is mandatory - it is better to eat 5-7 times a day, but in small portions.
- Particular attention should be paid to the cooking process. It is allowed to use boiled or steamed dishes.
- Food cannot be hot or cold - it’s best to eat warm meals.
- Doctors recommend eating cereals, soups, in a word, liquid and soft foods, since solid foods will only irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
- It is important to abandon products that enhance the secretion of gastric juice, as this also negatively affects the condition of the mucous membranes. The ban includes alcohol, carbonated drinks, mushrooms, meat, canned food, spices (including salt and pepper), spices, baked pastry, fresh bread, cabbage, radish, corn, onions, strong coffee and tea, chocolate.
- It is allowed to eat fruits and vegetables, but only boiled or baked, as well as mashed potatoes.
- In order to saturate the body with proteins, you need to include in the diet eggs, dairy products (yogurt, milk, sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese, but non-fat), low-fat varieties of fish. As you recover, you can gradually introduce meat into the menu, but only boiled, non-greasy and without tendons.
- Useful are vegetable fats. For example, olive, sunflower and other types of oil accelerate the healing process of the mucous membrane, have enveloping properties, protect tissues from the effects of digestive juice.
It is very important to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition - this is the key to a quick recovery.
Duodenal ulcer: symptoms and treatment
It is worth noting that in the absence of timely treatment, erosion can turn into a full-fledged peptic ulcer. In this case, we are talking not only about damage to the intestinal mucous membranes - the pathological process penetrates into the deeper layers of the digestive tract, which is fraught with massive bleeding, perforation and other complications.
Symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are more specific. Patients, as before, suffer from pain, nausea and vomiting, but bloating, severe heartburn, frequent sour belching, and heaviness in the stomach, which intensifies after eating, also join these symptoms.
According to statistics, quite often the ailment is hidden - the patient goes to the doctor after the onset of intestinal bleeding, and this condition requires surgical intervention. As for drug treatment, patients take the same antibiotics, as well as antispasmodics and antacids.
When is surgery necessary?
As a rule, it is possible to cope with an ailment with the help of correctly selected medicines and diet. Nevertheless, surgical treatment of duodenal erosion is sometimes necessary. Indications for the procedure are bleeding, which occurs if, as the erosion site expanded, a blood vessel was affected.
Abdominal operations in this case are extremely rare. As a rule, access to the intestine is carried out using endoscopic equipment. The doctor cauterizes the damaged vessel (and at the same time the area affected by erosion) with a laser or an electrocoagulator.
In no case should you abandon the procedure, since in the absence of therapy this pathology can easily lead to the appearance of ulcers.
Alternative methods of treatment
Drug treatment of erosion of the duodenum 12 helps to cope with the problem. Nevertheless, sometimes taking pills can be supplemented with homemade products. Treatment of erosion of the duodenum 12 with folk remedies helps to accelerate the healing process. Of course, there are a huge number of recipes, but the following are only the most effective and safe:
- Folk healers recommend every day to take inside a small amount of sea buckthorn oil (you can buy in a pharmacy). This substance has a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, has a regenerative effect, and has antiseptic properties.
- Instead of tea, you can drink decoctions and infusions from herbs such as calamus, medicinal chamomile, bearberry. These plants have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties and have a calming effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.
- It is considered useful to take olive oil (per teaspoon per day), a mixture of honey and butter - this also speeds up the healing process.
- Bananas have enveloping properties, so many experts recommend eating one on an empty stomach in the morning.
But it is worthwhile to understand that the treatment of erosion of the duodenal bulb must be carried out under the supervision of an experienced doctor. The use of alcohol tinctures in this case is strictly contraindicated, since ethanol only further irritates the mucous membrane. Home-made medicines can be used only with the permission of a specialist and only after it is possible to take control of the inflammatory process.
Predictions for patients. Preventive actions
According to statistics, correctly conducted treatment of erosion of the duodenum 12 allows you to achieve a stable remission. Of course, the patient should be registered with a doctor, regularly undergo preventive examinations, take tests - so the specialist will have the opportunity to notice the appearance of any complications in time.
Of course, it is very important to adhere to the correct diet, to refuse spicy, fatty and fried foods, spices, canned food. Also, patients are advised to abandon soda, alcoholic beverages, as they irritate the intestinal mucosa. Smoking is also contraindicated.
In no case can one ignore the symptoms of this ailment - in the absence of therapy, erosion can develop into a full-fledged peptic ulcer.