Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are both common types of ulcers. They may also be called peptic ulcers, or stomach ulcers.
There are more than four different types of ulcers that can affect the stomach, but gastric and duodenal are the most common.
Duodenal Ulcer vs Gastric Ulcer
The difference between duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer is their location in the digestive system. A gastric ulcer occurs in the lining of the stomach, while a duodenal ulcer affects the first part of the small intestine or duodenum.
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Duodenal ulcers are also called “pancreatic” ulcers. This type of ulcer is usually in the duodenum or the first part of the small intestine.
Duodenal ulcers are often caused by low stomach acid levels, which may be due to taking acid-blocking medication. They can also result from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and Crohn’s disease.
Gastric ulcers are usually in your stomach, although they may be in any part of the stomach lining that is exposed to gastric juices.
Gastric ulcers are most often associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, an overactive parietal cell, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Duodenal ulcer | Gastric ulcer |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Duodenal ulcers, on the other hand, happen in the first part of the small intestine, or duodenum. They are sometimes called duodenal ulcerations or duodenal ulcerations. | Gastric ulcers are the most common type of ulcers. They happen in the lining of the stomach, usually on the inside of the stomach. Gastric ulcers are sometimes called peptic ulcers or stomach ulcers. |
| Site | Affects the first part of the small intestine, or duodenum. | Occurs in the lining of the stomach |
| Symptoms | Duodenal ulcers usually cause a burning sensation that can be relieved by eating or drinking a cold drink. They may also cause nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen, and a loss of appetite. | Gastric ulcerations can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn (a burning sensation in the esophagus), appetite loss, and weight loss. |
| Treatment | Treatment for duodenal ulcers include medications to decrease acid production, promote healing, and suppress stomach acid | Treated with over-the-counter medications like antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors. If these don’t work, they can be treated with more serious medications like proton pump inhibitors or gastric acid reducers. |
| Mostly Affects | more common in the elderly and typically develop slowly | common in the young and middle-aged |
What is a Duodenal Ulcer?
Duodenal ulcers are also called “pancreatic” ulcers. This type of ulcer is usually in the duodenum or the first part of the small intestine.
Duodenal ulcers are often caused by low stomach acid levels, which may be due to taking acid-blocking medication. They can also result from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and Crohn’s disease.
Gastric ulcers are usually in your stomach, although they may be in any part of the stomach lining that is exposed to gastric juices.
Gastric ulcers are most often associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, an overactive parietal cell, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Duodenal ulcers are treated with drugs that increase stomach acid levels, which include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 receptor blockers.
They also may be treated with other medications, such as antibiotics if the ulcer is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection
Gastric ulcers are treated with drugs that decrease stomach acid levels, such as antac.
What is a Gastric Ulcer?
A gastric ulcer is a type of ulcer caused by stomach acid. Gastric ulcers can occur anywhere in the stomach, but they are most often located in the lower part of the stomach.
Most people with a gastric ulcer have a chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, an overactive parietal cell, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
Duodenal ulcers, on the other hand, are typically located in the duodenum or the first part of the small intestine.
They may be caused by low stomach acid levels, which may be due to taking acid-blocking medication. Duodenal ulcers can also result from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and Crohn’s disease.
Duodenal ulcers are also called “pancreatic” ulcers.
Duodenal ulcers are more common in the elderly and typically develop slowly. While they can cause discomfort, they seldom cause severe pain or bleeding.
Main Differences Between Gastric Ulcers and Duodenal Ulcers
- Gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are caused by different factors. Gastric ulcers are usually due to taking over-the-counter NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Duodenal ulcers may be due to low stomach acid levels, which may be due to taking acid-blocking medication or to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and Crohn’s disease.
- It is important to distinguish between the two different types of ulcers. They often require different treatments. For instance, duodenal ulcers can be treated with over-the-counter medications while gastric ulcers may require prescription medications. Your doctor needs to determine which type of ulcer you have before prescribed a treatment.
- The main difference between these two is their location in the digestive system. A gastric ulcer occurs in the lining of the stomach, while a duodenal ulcer affects the first part of the small intestine or duodenum.
- Duodenal ulcers cause a burning sensation that can be relieved by eating or drinking a cold drink, whereas Gastric ulcers cause severe pain, vomiting, and bleeding.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc4017034/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0016508586911108
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
