Causes of Peptic Ulcer
List of causes of Peptic Ulcer
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Peptic Ulcer)
that could possibly cause Peptic Ulcer includes:
Causes of Peptic Ulcer (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Peptic Ulcer
that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases Database
Peptic Ulcer Causes: Book Excerpts
Peptic Ulcer as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Peptic Ulcer as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Peptic Ulcer.
Our database lists the following as having
Peptic Ulcer as a complication of that condition:
Peptic Ulcer as a symptom:
Conditions listing Peptic Ulcer
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Peptic Ulcer.
Our database lists the following as having
Peptic Ulcer as a symptom of that condition:
Medications or substances causing Peptic Ulcer:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Peptic Ulcer as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 302
medications causing Peptic Ulcer
Drug interactions causing Peptic Ulcer:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react
causing Peptic Ulcer as a symptom.
The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Rofecoxib and low aspirin dose interaction
- Vioxx and low aspirin dose interaction
- Celecoxib and aspirin interaction
- Celebrex and aspirin interaction
- Aggrenox and barbiturates interaction
- more interactions...»
See full list of 2860
drug interactions causing Peptic Ulcer
What causes Peptic Ulcer?
Causes: Peptic Ulcer:
Hydrocloric acid and pepsin in the digestive juices of the stomach.
H_ pylori and Peptic Ulcer: NIDDK (Excerpt)
One cause of peptic ulcer is bacterial infection, but
some ulcers are caused by long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
agents (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen. In a few cases, cancerous
tumors in the stomach or pancreas can cause ulcers. Peptic ulcers are not
caused by spicy food or stress. (Source: excerpt from H_ pylori and Peptic Ulcer: NIDDK)
H_ pylori and Peptic Ulcer: NIDDK (Excerpt)
The majority of peptic ulcers are caused by the H.
pylori bacterium. Many of the other cases are caused by
NSAIDs. None are caused by spicy food or stress.
(Source: excerpt from H_ pylori and Peptic Ulcer: NIDDK)
Medical news summaries relating to Peptic Ulcer:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Peptic Ulcer:
Related information on causes of Peptic Ulcer:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Peptic Ulcer may be found in:
Causes of Peptic Ulcer: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Peptic Ulcer.
Dyspepsia:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Cholelithiasis.
Dyspepsia may occur with gallstones, usually after eating fatty foods. Biliary colic, a more common symptom of gallstones, causes acute pain that may radiate to the back, shoulders, and chest. The patient may also have diaphoresis, tachycardia, chills, a low-grade fever, petechiae, bleeding tendencies, jaundice with pruritus, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
Cirrhosis
With cirrhosis, dyspepsia varies in intensity and duration and is relieved by taking an antacid. Other GI effects are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, and epigastric or right upper quadrant pain. Weight loss, jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, dependent edema, a fever, bleeding tendencies, and muscle weakness are also common. Skin changes include severe pruritus, extreme dryness, easy bruising, and lesions, such as telangiectasis and palmar erythema. Gynecomastia or testicular atrophy may also occur.
Duodenal ulcer
A primary symptom of a duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia ranges from a vague feeling of fullness or pressure to a boring or aching sensation in the middle or right epigastrium. It usually occurs 1.5 to 3 hours after a meal and is relieved by eating food or taking an antacid. The pain may awaken the patient at night with heartburn and fluid regurgitation. Abdominal tenderness and weight gain may occur; vomiting and anorexia are rare.
Gastric dilation (acute)
Epigastric fullness is an early symptom of gastric dilation, alife-threatening disorder. Accompanying dyspepsia are nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal distention, succussion splash, and apathy. The patient may display signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as poor tissue turgor and dry mucous membranes, and of electrolyte imbalance, such as an irregular pulse and muscle weakness. Gastric bleeding may produce hematemesis and melena.
Gastric ulcer
Typically, dyspepsia and heartburn after eating occur early in gastric ulcer. The cardinal symptom, however, is epigastric pain that may occur with vomiting, fullness, and abdominal distention and may not be relieved by eating food. Weight loss and GI bleeding are also characteristic.
Gastritis (chronic)
With chronic gastritis, dyspepsia is relieved by antacids; lessened by smaller, more frequent meals; and aggravated by spicy foods or excessive caffeine. It occurs with anorexia, a feeling of fullness, vague epigastric pain, belching, nausea, and vomiting.
GI cancer
GI cancer usually produces chronic dyspepsia. Other features include anorexia, fatigue, jaundice, melena, hematemesis, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Heart failure
Common with right-sided heart failure, transient dyspepsia may occur with chest tightness and a constant ache or sharp pain in the right upper quadrant. Heart failure also typically causes hepatomegaly, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, ascites, tachycardia, jugular vein distention, tachypnea, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Other findings include dependent edema, anxiety, fatigue, diaphoresis, hypotension, a cough, crackles, ventricular and atrial gallops, nocturia, diastolic hypertension, and cool, pale skin.
Hepatitis
Dyspepsia occurs in two of the three stages of hepatitis. The preicteric phase produces moderate to severe dyspepsia, a fever, malaise, arthralgia, coryza, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, an altered sense of taste or smell, and hepatomegaly. Jaundice marks the onset of the icteric phase, along with continued dyspepsia and anorexia, irritability, and severe pruritus. As jaundice clears, dyspepsia and other GI effects also diminish. In the recovery phase, only fatigue remains.
Hiatal hernia
Dyspepsia is a result of the lower portion of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach rising into the chest when abdominal pressure increases.
Pulmonary embolism
Sudden dyspnea characterizes pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal disorder; however, dyspepsia may occur as an oppressive, severe, substernal discomfort. Other findings include anxiety, tachycardia, tachypnea, a cough, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, syncope, cyanosis, jugular vein distention, and hypotension.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Vague dyspepsia may occur along with anorexia, malaise, and weight loss. Common associated findings include a high fever, night sweats, palpitations on mild exertion, a productive cough, dyspnea, adenopathy, and occasional hemoptysis.
Uremia
Of the many GI complaints associated with uremia, dyspepsia may be the earliest and most important. Others include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, epigastric pain, and weight gain. As the renal system deteriorates, the patient may experience edema, pruritus, pallor, hyperpigmentation, uremic frost, ecchymoses, sexual dysfunction, poor memory, irritability, a headache, drowsiness, muscle twitching, seizures, and oliguria.
Other causes
Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially aspirin, commonly cause dyspepsia. Diuretics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and many other drugs can cause dyspepsia, depending on the patient's tolerance of the dosage.
Surgery
After GI or other surgery, postoperative gastritis can cause dyspepsia, which usually disappears in a few weeks.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Peptic ulcers:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Researchers recognize three major causes of peptic ulcer disease: infection with Helicobacter pylori (formerly known as Campylobacter pylori), use of NSAIDs, and pathologic hypersecretory disorders such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. (See How peptic ulcers develop.)
How H. pylori produces an ulcer isn’t clear. Gastric acid, which was considered a primary cause, now appears mainly to contribute to the consequences of infection. Ongoing studies should soon unveil the full mechanism of ulcer formation.
Salicylates and other NSAIDs encourage ulcer formation by inhibiting the secretion of prostaglandins (the substances that suppress ulceration). Certain illnesses, such as pancreatitis, hepatic disease, Crohn’s disease, preexisting gastritis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, are also known causes.
Besides peptic ulcer’s main causes, several predisposing factors are acknowledged. They include blood type (gastric ulcers tend to strike people with type A blood; duodenal ulcers tend to afflict people with type O blood) and other genetic factors. Exposure to irritants, such as alcohol, coffee, and tobacco, may contribute by accelerating gastric acid emptying and promoting mucosal breakdown. Ulceration occurs when the acid secretion exceeds the buffering factors. Physical trauma, emotional stress, and normal aging are additional predisposing conditions.
In the United States, about 1.6 million people acquire peptic ulcers yearly. Males and females are affected equally, and incidence increases with age. A higher percentage of H. pylori infection occurs in people older than age 50.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Dyspepsia:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Cholelithiasis
Dyspepsia may occur with gallstones, commonly after intake of fatty foods. Biliary colic, a more common symptom of gallstones, causes acute pain that may radiate to the back, shoulders, and chest. The patient may also have diaphoresis, tachycardia, chills, low-grade fever, petechiae, bleeding tendencies, jaundice with pruritus, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
Cirrhosis
In this chronic disorder, dyspepsia varies in intensity and duration and is relieved by ingestion of an antacid. Other GI effects are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, and epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain. Weight loss, jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, dependent edema, fever, bleeding tendencies, and muscle weakness are also common. Skin changes include severe pruritus, extreme dryness, easy bruising, and lesions, such as telangiectasis and palmar erythema. Gynecomastia or testicular atrophy may also occur.
Duodenal ulcer
A primary symptom of duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia ranges from a vague feeling of fullness or pressure to a boring or aching sensation in the middle or right epigastrium. It usually occurs 1˝ to 3 hours after eating and is relieved by food or an antacid. The pain may awaken the patient at night with heartburn and fluid regurgitation. Abdominal tenderness and weight gain may occur; vomiting and anorexia are rare.
Gastric dilation (acute)
Epigastric fullness is an early symptom of this life-threatening disorder. Accompanying dyspepsia are nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal distention, a succussion splash, and apathy. The patient may display signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes, and of electrolyte imbalance, such as irregular pulse and muscle weakness. Gastric bleeding may produce hematemesis and melena.
Gastric ulcer
Dyspepsia and heartburn after eating may occur in the early stages of a gastric ulcer. The cardinal symptom, however, is epigastric pain that may occur with vomiting, fullness, and abdominal distention and may not be relieved by food. Weight loss and GI bleeding are also characteristic.
Gastritis (chronic)
In this disorder, dyspepsia is relieved by antacids; lessened by smaller, more frequent meals; and aggravated by spicy foods or excessive caffeine. It occurs with anorexia, a feeling of fullness, vague epigastric pain, belching, nausea, and vomiting.
GI cancer
This type of cancer usually produces chronic dyspepsia. Other features include anorexia, fatigue, jaundice, melena, hematemesis, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Heart failure
Common in right-sided heart failure, transient dyspepsia may occur with chest tightness and a constant ache or sharp pain in the right upper quadrant. Heart failure also typically causes hepatomegaly, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, ascites, tachycardia, jugular vein distention, tachypnea, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Other findings include dependent edema, anxiety, fatigue, diaphoresis, hypotension, cough, crackles, ventricular and atrial gallops, nocturia, elevated diastolic blood pressure, and cool, pale skin.
Hepatitis
Dyspepsia occurs in two of the three stages of hepatitis. The preicteric phase produces moderate to severe dyspepsia, fever, malaise, arthralgia, coryza, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, an altered sense of taste or smell, and hepatomegaly. Jaundice marks the onset of the icteric phase, which also includes continued dyspepsia, anorexia, irritability, and severe pruritus. As jaundice clears, dyspepsia and other GI effects also diminish. In the recovery phase, only fatigue remains.
Hiatal hernia
In this disorder, dyspepsia results when the lower portion of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach rise into the chest as abdominal pressure increases.
Pancreatitis (chronic)
Dyspepsia is usually accompanied by severe continuous or intermittent epigastric pain that radiates to the back or through the abdomen. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, dramatic weight loss, hyperglycemia, and steatorrhea may also occur. The patient may have Turner’s or Cullen’s sign.
Pulmonary embolism
Sudden dyspnea characterizes this potentially fatal disorder; however, dyspepsia may occur as an oppressive, severe, substernal discomfort. Other findings include anxiety, tachycardia, tachypnea, cough, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, syncope, cyanosis, jugular vein distention, and hypotension.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Vague dyspepsia may occur along with anorexia, malaise, and weight loss. Common associated findings include high fever, night sweats, palpitations on mild exertion, a productive cough, dyspnea, adenopathy, and occasional hemoptysis.
Uremia
Of the many GI complaints associated with uremia, dyspepsia may be the earliest and most important. Others include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, epigastric pain, and weight gain. As the renal system deteriorates, the patient may experience edema, pruritus, pallor, hyperpigmentation, uremic frost, ecchymoses, sexual dysfunction, poor memory, irritability, headache, drowsiness, muscle twitching, seizures, and oliguria.
Other causes
Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially aspirin, commonly cause dyspepsia. Diuretics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and many other drugs can also cause dyspepsia, depending on the patient’s tolerance of the dosage.
Surgery
After GI or other surgery, postoperative gastritis can cause dyspepsia, which usually disappears in a few weeks.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Peptic ulcers:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Researchers recognize three major causes of peptic ulcer disease: infection with Helicobacter pylori, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and pathologic hypersecretory states such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
H. pylori is the cause of the majority of duodenal and gastric ulcers. Following treatment with standard therapies, 70% to 85% of patients have a documented recurrence (by endoscopy) within 1 year.
Other causes include the use of certain drugs, such as salicylates and other NSAIDs, which encourage ulcer formation by inhibiting the secretion of prostaglandins (the substances that suppress ulceration). Certain illnesses — such as pancreatitis, hepatic disease, Crohn’s disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and preexisting gastritis — are also known causes. Additionally, having a type A personality increases autonomic nervous system effects on the gastric mucosa.
Predisposing factors
Ulcers are more common in smokers and those who regularly use NSAIDs. (Smoking increases the amount ofhydrochloric acid in the stomach; nicotine reduces the bicarbonate content of pancreatic secretions and also decreases the degree of acid neutralization.) Diet and alcohol don’t appear to contribute to the development of peptic ulcer disease. It’s unclear whether emotional stress is a contributing factor.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Dyspepsia:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Cholelithiasis
Dyspepsia may occur with cholelithiasis (the formation of gallstones), commonly after intake of fatty foods. Biliary colic, a more common symptom of cholelithiasis, causes acute pain that may radiate to the back, shoulders, and chest. The patient may also have diaphoresis, tachycardia, chills, low-grade fever, petechiae, bleeding tendencies, jaundice with pruritus, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
Cirrhosis
With cirrhosis, dyspepsia varies in intensity and duration and is relieved by ingestion of an antacid. Other GI effects are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, and epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain. Weight loss, jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, dependent edema, fever, bleeding tendencies, and muscle weakness are also common. Skin changes include severe pruritus, extreme dryness, easy bruising, and lesions, such as telangiectasis and palmar erythema. Gynecomastia or testicular atrophy may also occur.
Duodenal ulcer
A primary symptom of duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia ranges from a vague feeling of fullness or pressure to a boring or aching sensation in the middle or right epigastrium. It usually occurs 1˝ to 3 hours after eating and is relieved by intake of food or ingestion of an antacid. The pain may awaken the patient at night with heartburn and fluid regurgitation. Abdominal tenderness and weight gain may occur; vomiting and anorexia are rare.
Gastric dilation (acute)
Epigastric fullness is an early symptom of acute gastric dilation, a life-threatening disorder. Accompanying dyspepsia are nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal distention, succussion splash, and apathy. The patient with acute gastric dilation may display signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as poor tissue turgor and dry mucous membranes, and of electrolyte imbalance, such as irregular pulse and muscle weakness. Gastric bleeding may produce hematemesis and melena.
Gastric ulcer
Typically, dyspepsia and heartburn after eating occur early in a gastric ulcer. The cardinal symptom, however, is epigastric pain that may occur with vomiting, fullness, and abdominal distention and may not be relieved by food. Weight loss and GI bleeding are also characteristic.
Gastritis (chronic)
With chronic gastritis, dyspepsia is relieved by antacids; lessened by smaller, more frequent meals; and aggravated by spicy foods or excessive caffeine. It occurs with anorexia, a feeling of fullness, vague epigastric pain, belching, nausea, and vomiting.
GI cancer
GI cancer usually produces chronic dyspepsia. Other features include anorexia, fatigue, jaundice, melena, hematemesis, constipation, and abdominal pain. The patient may also experience pain after eating that isn’t relieved by antacids. Syncope, weakness, and weight loss may also occur.
Heart failure
Common with right-sided heart failure, transient dyspepsia may occur with chest tightness and a constant ache or sharp pain in the right upper quadrant. Heart failure also typically causes hepatomegaly, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, ascites, tachycardia, jugular vein distention, tachypnea, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Other findings include dependent edema, anxiety, fatigue, diaphoresis, hypotension, cough, crackles, ventricular and atrial gallops, nocturia, diastolic hypertension, and cool, pale skin.
Hepatitis
Dyspepsia occurs in two of the three stages of hepatitis. The preicteric phase produces moderate to severe dyspepsia, fever, malaise, arthralgia, coryza, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, an altered sense of taste or smell, and hepatomegaly. Jaundice marks the onset of the icteric phase, along with continued dyspepsia and anorexia, irritability, and severe pruritus. As jaundice clears, dyspepsia and other GI effects also diminish. In the recovery phase, only fatigue remains.
Hiatal hernia
With hiatal hernia, dyspepsia results when increased abdominal pressure causes the lower portion of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach to rise into the chest. Other signs and symptoms include heartburn and retrosternal or substernal chest pain. Signs and symptoms of possible complications include dysphagia, bleeding, and severe pain and shock.
Pancreatitis (chronic)
With chronic pancreatitis, a feeling of fullness or dyspepsia is usually accompanied by severe continuous or intermittent epigastric pain that radiates to the back or through the abdomen. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, dramatic weight loss, hyperglycemia, and steatorrhea may also occur. The patient may have Turner’s or Cullen’s sign.
Uremia
Of the many GI complaints associated with uremia, dyspepsia may be the earliest and most important. Others include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, epigastric pain, and weight gain. As the renal system deteriorates, the patient may experience edema, pruritus, pallor, hyperpigmentation, uremic frost, ecchymoses, sexual dysfunction, poor memory, irritability, headache, drowsiness, muscle twitching, seizures, and oliguria.
Other causes
Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, especially aspirin, commonly cause dyspepsia. Diuretics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and many other drugs can cause dyspepsia, depending on the patient’s tolerance of the dosage.
Surgery
After GI or other surgery, postoperative gastritis can cause dyspepsia, which usually disappears in a few weeks.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Dyspepsia:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Cholelithiasis.Dyspepsia may occur with gallstones, usually after eating fatty foods. Biliary colic, a more common symptom of gallstones, causes acute pain that may radiate to the back, shoulders, and chest. The patient may also have diaphoresis, tachycardia, chills, a low-grade fever, petechiae, bleeding tendencies, jaundice with pruritus, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
Cirrhosis.With cirrhosis, dyspepsia varies in intensity and duration and is relieved by taking an antacid. Other GI effects are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, and epigastric or right upper quadrant pain. Weight loss, jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, dependent edema, a fever, bleeding tendencies, and muscle weakness are also common. Skin changes include severe pruritus, extreme dryness, easy bruising, and lesions, such as telangiectasis and palmar erythema. Gynecomastia or testicular atrophy may also occur.
Duodenal ulcer.A primary symptom of a duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia ranges from a vague feeling of fullness or pressure to a boring or aching sensation in the middle or right epigastrium. It usually occurs 11⁄2 to 3 hours after a meal and is relieved by eating food or taking an antacid. The pain may awaken the patient at night with heartburn and fluid regurgitation. Abdominal tenderness and weight gain may occur; vomiting and anorexia are rare.
Gastric dilation (acute).Epigastric fullness is an early symptom of gastric dilation, a life-threatening disorder. Accompanying dyspepsia are nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal distention, succussion splash, and apathy. The patient may display signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as poor tissue turgor and dry mucous membranes, and of electrolyte imbalance, such as an irregular pulse and muscle weakness. Gastric bleeding may produce hematemesis and melena.
Gastric ulcer.Typically, dyspepsia and heartburn after eating occur early in gastric ulcer. The cardinal symptom, however, is epigastric pain that may occur with vomiting, fullness, and abdominal distention and may not be relieved by eating food. Weight loss and GI bleeding are also characteristic.
Gastritis (chronic).With chronic gastritis, dyspepsia is relieved by antacids; lessened by smaller, more frequent meals; and aggravated by spicy foods or excessive caffeine. It occurs with anorexia, a feeling of fullness, vague epigastric pain, belching, nausea, and vomiting.
GI cancer.GI cancer usually produces chronic dyspepsia. Other features include anorexia, fatigue, jaundice, melena, hematemesis, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Heart failure.Common with right-sided heart failure, transient dyspepsia may occur with chest tightness and a constant ache or sharp pain in the right upper quadrant. Heart failure also typically causes hepatomegaly, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, ascites, tachycardia, jugular vein distention, tachypnea, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Other findings include dependent edema, anxiety, fatigue, diaphoresis, hypotension, a cough, crackles, ventricular and atrial gallops, nocturia, diastolic hypertension, and cool, pale skin.
Hepatitis.Dyspepsia occurs in two of the three stages of hepatitis. The preicteric phase produces moderate to severe dyspepsia, a fever, malaise, arthralgia, coryza, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, an altered sense of taste or smell, and hepatomegaly. Jaundice marks the onset of the icteric phase, along with continued dyspepsia and anorexia, irritability, and severe pruritus. As jaundice clears, dyspepsia and other GI effects also diminish. In the recovery phase, only fatigue remains.
Hiatal hernia.Dyspepsia is a result of the lower portion of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach rising into the chest when abdominal pressure increases.
Pulmonary embolism.Sudden dyspnea characterizes pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal disorder; however, dyspepsia may occur as an oppressive, severe, substernal discomfort. Other findings include anxiety, tachycardia, tachypnea, a cough, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, syncope, cyanosis, jugular vein distention, and hypotension.
Pulmonary tuberculosis.Vague dyspepsia may occur along with anorexia, malaise, and weight loss. Common associated findings include a high fever, night sweats, palpitations on mild exertion, a productive cough, dyspnea, adenopathy, and occasional hemoptysis.
Uremia.Of the many GI complaints associated with uremia, dyspepsia may be the earliest and most important. Others include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, epigastric pain, and weight gain. As the renal system deteriorates, the patient may experience edema, pruritus, pallor, hyperpigmentation, uremic frost, ecchymoses, sexual dysfunction, poor memory, irritability, headache, drowsiness, muscle twitching, seizures, and oliguria.
Other causes
Drugs.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially aspirin, commonly cause dyspepsia. Diuretics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and many other drugs can cause dyspepsia, depending on the patient's tolerance of the dosage.
Surgery.After GI or other surgery, postoperative gastritis can cause dyspepsia, which usually disappears in a few weeks.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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» Next page: Risk Factors for Peptic Ulcer
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