Peptic ulcers can cause considerable long-term abdominal pain and discomfort. Dr. Treyzon specializes in advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques aimed at identifying peptic ulcers and targeting their causes for relief of symptoms and improved digestive tract health in patients from in and around the Cedars Sinai Medical Towers, Los Angeles, CA, area.
PUD is the presence of ulcers (sores) in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and/or small intestine.
The stomach is naturally a very acidic environment so as to best break down food. In order to protect itself from the very acid it creates, the body produces a mucous layer around the digestive tract. However, if too much acid is present, this protective mucous layer can become weakened, allowing acid to corrode the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. The acid corrosion in the lining of the digestive tract is known as a peptic ulcer, which is an open sore that can sometimes bleed.
There are two main causes of peptic ulcers: H. pylori and medications. Occasionally, people produce an excessive amount of acid in their stomachs and are therefore at a naturally higher risk of developing peptic ulcers.
The most common symptom of PUD is burning upper abdominal pain (although some patients experience no pain at all). Pain is often intermittent and relieved temporarily by antacids.
Other symptoms can include:
NSAIDs other Medications:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and certain other medications can damage the mucous layer of the stomach, enabling the formation of ulcers. NSAIDS are available in many forms over-the-counter (such as Aleve, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen), often used for pain relief, and prescription (such as Diclofenac and Mobic), often used for arthritis treatment.
The first step in diagnosis of PUD is a full medical history, including present symptoms. At this point, the diagnosis of peptic ulcers may be suspected, but it must be confirmed either an endoscopy or barium x-ray of the stomach.
The treatment of PUD depends in part on the cause. If PUD is caused by H. pylori, treatment of the infection with antibiotics is necessary. If PUD is caused by medication, treatment requires avoidance of that medication. Acid-suppressing medication is extremely effective in relieving symptoms and allowing ulcers to heal. Lifestyle medication can help the ulcer healing process, including avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes.
Here is a list of just some of the plans we work with -- depending on your insurance plan, your co-pay due upon the visit is variable. You might be responsible for a small co-pay like $10, or you might be responsible for the full amount. It is dependent on your insurance unmet deductible, which insurance network you are in, and other insurance factors. Please contact our office if you have any questions. We can verify on the phone what your co-pay would be. Please note that we are not contracted with Medicare. If a claim is submitted to your insurance, we submit the necessary billing forms ourselves.
