Medical management of peptic ulcer with reference to anti-ulcer agents in other gastro-intestinal diseases.

Abstract

Patients with chronic peptic ulcer depend upon the doctor of first contact for the initiation of the course of events that could lead to the successful treatment of their disease. The first investigation must be barium meal using an air contrast technique. For the diagnosis of duodenal ulcer, all that is needed is a consistent clinical syndrome and a radiological lesion of the duodenum. Whether this radiological lesion be an actual ulcer crater, spasm or deformity matters not. For the diagnosis of gastric ulcer, not only must a consistent clinical syndrome and radiological lesion be present, but the ulcer must also be demonstrated to be benign. Demonstration of a benign lesion is best done by direct vision gastric biopsy.