Common Misdiagnoses of Gastric Ulcer

A gastric ulcer is a hole or break in the stomach's lining. Sometimes called a peptic ulcer, a gastric ulcer may be quite painful for the sufferer. Symptoms of a gastric ulcer include abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, indigestion, vomiting (sometimes blood), fatigue, blood in the stools and unintentional weight loss. However, sometimes the condition is asymptomatic.

Risks of a Gastric Ulcer

The condition is usually benign and may arise from a number of causes. Risk factors include:

• aspirin and NSAIDs
• blood clotting problems
• chronic gastritis
• increasing age
• infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria
• mechanical ventilation
• smoking

The abdominal pain may occur hours after a meal, may only be relieved with antacids or milk, may worsen if no meal is eaten and may awaken the sufferer through the night. Contrary to popular belief, stress does not necessarily cause or aggravate an existing gastric ulcer. Proper diagnosis is required to determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment(s).

Diagnosing a Gastric Ulcer

Diagnosis of a gastric ulcer begins with a physical examination and a medical history. In some cases, certain symptoms like indigestion, a feeling of fullness, stomach distention and heartburn may suggest the beginning of a gastric ulcer.

If a gastric ulcer is suspected after a general examination, the physician may order a barium test (swallowing barium substance) which can reveal an ulcer. This test is often done when the symptoms are not too severe. A serologic test that shows a high white cell count may indicate clinical signs of an infection. In the suspected case of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, the doctor may order a carbon 13 urea breath test to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for a gastric ulcer (not arising from H. pylori) may include prescribed medications such as ulcer-healing antacids in less severe cases. The doctor may recommend that the patient avoid smoking, caffeinated beverages, aspirin and NSAIDs, and alcohol.

In more extreme cases, such as where the gastric ulcer begins to bleed, an endoscopy may be done to control the bleeding. For those who do not respond to medications or an endoscopy, surgery may be recommended to remove the ulcerous part of the stomach or cut the vagus nerve which controls the stomach's production of gastric acid.

For those with the H. pylori bacteria, certain medications such as Pepcid in conjunction with antibiotics may be prescribed to get rid of the ulcer-causing bacteria.

Misdiagnoses of a Gastric Ulcer

Occasionally a case of gastric ulcer may be mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or colon cancer. Treatments for these particular diseases may exacerbate a gastric ulcer or provide no relief or cure.

Talk with an Attorney

If you have suffered unnecessary pain and harm due to the misdiagnosis of a gastric ulcer, you may have a claim for medical malpractice. In addition to actual damages such as medical costs, you may also be compensated for your undue pain and suffering. Talk with an experienced malpractice attorney to discuss your case.