The gastric ulcer is an inflammation of the digestive mucosa that is not well understood.

Doctor Jimmy Mohamed, columnist for the show "Sans Rendez-vous" on Europe 1, looks at this phenomenon Thursday afternoon, which should not be taken lightly, because it can give rise to extremely painful complications.

DECRYPTION

Malika's general practitioner, an auditor of Europe 1 in Paris, told her that she probably had a stomach ulcer due to an infection.

"A little skeptical", the young woman must do additional examinations, but continues to wonder about this phenomenon.

In the program "Sans Rendez-vous", Thursday afternoon with Mélanie Gomez, doctor Jimmy Mohamed answers the questions of this listener on this disease which can be very painful and quite disabling.

What is a gastric ulcer?

"It's a hole in the stomach, inflammation of the digestive mucosa. A small inflammation will create a bigger inflammation which will lead to a form of canker sore. This canker sore will widen and can lead to the stomach perforation. So it hurts. "

Malika's GP spoke of an infection.

What exactly is he talking about?

"It's very simple. There are protective factors for the stomach. Cells will produce gastric mucus, which is supposed to protect us. On the other hand, there is acidity which will damage the mucous membrane and which will be secreted by bacteria, in particular Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection which will lead to the ulcer. We will therefore seek to eradicate this infection. "

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How is this diagnosis of an ulcer linked to this bacterium confirmed?

"There are two possibilities. For the first, we do a fibroscopy, with a small camera that we put in the throat, in the esophagus and in the stomach to visualize the inflammation. It is also used to make biopsies. , samples and highlight this Helicobacter pylori.

There are also new tests called breathing tests.

This can be bought in pharmacies on medical prescription.

We have to go to the laboratory, blow into a kind of tube and we will try to detect the presence of this bacterium in the exhaled air.

If it's positive, we still have to do an endoscopy because we want to be sure it's really just an ulcer and nothing else. "

Alcohol and tobacco, aggravating factors

Is this ulcer due to this bacteria being treated?

"It's a bacterium, so we're going to give antibiotics to eradicate the infection. We're also going to give gastric protectors called 'proton pump inhibitors'. Most of all, we're going to tell the patient to be careful. to certain drugs, in particular anti-inflammatory drugs, which will attack the lining of the stomach, but also alcohol and tobacco. These factors can cause ulcers. Stress, in fact, does not give ulcer . It is a predisposing factor, however, to have this ulcer. "

An untreated ulcer can have serious consequences ...

"There are several. The most serious is the digestive haemorrhage, since a bleeding will be created on contact with the ulcer. The patient will therefore vomit blood, which will be digested and discovered in the stool. We consult urgently, but it is already too late. There may be a hole, this is called perforation. This will lead to peritonitis, which is very painful. Sometimes there is a stenosis, that is, the stomach will shrink and the patient will therefore have eating difficulties. "

What are the evocative signs to avoid arriving at these consequences?

"Often, these are cramps in the stomach, that is to say above the navel. These cramps are calmed by food. Except that these symptoms are only present in 40% of cases. the vast majority of cases, the patient has fewer symptoms, just a little digestive discomfort, heartburn, heartburn. In these cases, it is advisable to go see the doctor, who gives a test treatment. If it goes with the treatment, it stops there. If, as soon as the drugs are stopped, there are symptoms again, you have to go to the gastroenterologist for a fibroscopy . "