COMPLICATIONS OF PEPTIC ULCER

There are three complications that may develop; two of them come without warning.
1. The ulcer may be near the outlet of the stomach and after a period of time scar tissues form and later contract so that this opening through which the food should leave the stomach becomes constricted. If this happens the patient vomits on taking food. Only liquids can get through. In order to relieve this condition a new opening must be made from the stomach into the duodenum.
2. The patient may suddenly vomit substances, resembling coffee-grounds, mixed with fresh blood. This indicates that the ulcer has eroded into a blood-vessel and poured considerable blood into the stomach. The patient should then be hospitalized, to bed. In the hospital, hypodermics can be given to stop the bleeding and the blood level can be checked periodically to see that it is being maintained at the proper level. Transfusions and possibly, surgery may be necessary.
3. The patient may suddenly be seized with a sharp abdominal pain such as he has never had before. The abdominal wall becomes tense. This is the result of the peptic ulcer's having eroded through the wall so that contents of the stomach are being poured into the abdominal cavity. Because the fluid is acid, it causes great pain. This is an acute emergency and operation must be performed at once, for if the condition exists more than a few hours unattended the patient may not recover.