How to check for gastric ulcer

Gastric ulcers are mainly examined through methods such as gastroscopy, Helicobacter pylori testing, upper gastrointestinal barium meal imaging, gastric juice analysis, and pathological biopsy. Gastric ulcer is a chronic ulcer formed by the digestion of gastric mucosa by gastric acid and pepsin. A clear diagnosis requires the combination of multiple diagnostic methods.

1. Gastroscopy examination:

Gastroscopy is currently the most direct and accurate method for diagnosing gastric ulcers. Doctors can directly observe the mucosal condition of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum through gastroscopy, and clearly see the location, size, shape, and quantity of ulcers. During the examination, the doctor will take a small amount of tissue from the edge of the ulcer for pathological biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignant lesions. Before gastroscopy examination, it is necessary to fast and avoid water for 6-8 hours. After the examination, there may be slight discomfort in the throat, which can usually be relieved on its own in a short period of time.

2. Helicobacter pylori testing:

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the main causes of gastric ulcers. The detection methods include carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test, fecal antigen detection, and rapid urease test under gastroscopy. Among them, breath test is the most commonly used, and patients only need to take specific reagents orally and blow air, which is non-invasive and simple. Antibiotics, bismuth agents, and proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued for at least 4 weeks before testing to avoid affecting the accuracy of the results. If the test is positive, standardized eradication treatment is required.

3. Upper gastrointestinal barium meal imaging:

Upper gastrointestinal barium meal imaging is a method of taking X-rays after oral administration of barium sulfate contrast agent. Barium will adhere to the surface of the gastric mucosa, showing the outline and morphology of ulcers under X-ray. This method has certain value in the diagnosis of gastric ulcers, especially for patients who cannot tolerate gastroscopy examination. However, barium meal imaging has a low detection rate for small ulcers or superficial lesions, and cannot directly obtain tissue for pathological examination. Therefore, it is often used as a supplementary method for preliminary screening or gastroscopy.

4. Gastric acid analysis:

Gastric acid analysis is the measurement of gastric acid secretion by extracting fasting and stimulated gastric acid through a gastric tube. Patients with gastric ulcers usually have normal or low levels of gastric acid secretion, while patients with duodenal ulcers often exhibit high acid secretion. This examination helps identify ulcer types and evaluate gastric function status. At present, the application of gastric juice analysis in clinical practice has gradually decreased, mainly for certain special cases or scientific research purposes. The examination process needs to be operated by professional medical staff, and patients need to cooperate with the placement of gastric tubes.

5. Pathological biopsy:

Pathological biopsy is the process of analyzing tissue samples taken from gastroscopy under a microscope. It can clarify the nature of ulcers, determine whether they are benign or malignant ulcers, and detect the presence of lesions such as Helicobacter pylori infection, intestinal metaplasia, or dysplasia. Pathological results are an important basis for developing treatment plans. After biopsy, the wound is relatively small and usually does not cause significant discomfort, but patients should pay attention to avoiding eating overheated or irritating foods after examination to prevent bleeding from the wound. The examination of gastric ulcer should be selected based on clinical symptoms and doctor's advice. Pay attention to regular diet in daily life, avoid excessive hunger or overeating, reduce intake of spicy and greasy foods, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. If symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, belching, and black stool occur, it is necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner, complete relevant examinations according to medical advice, in order to make early diagnosis and receive standardized treatment. Maintaining good mood and adequate sleep also contribute to the repair of gastric mucosa.