Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

appetite, a bloating or heavy feeling in the stomach, upset

stomach or nausea and vomiting, weight loss, and blood

in the stool. In some cases, blood is the first and only

symptom of an ulcer.

Once an ulcer bleeds and continues bleeding with-

out proper treatment, a person may become anemic

and weak.

Diagnosis

The physician will note symptoms and history and

will perform one or more of several tests available to

detect peptic ulcer disease.

H. pyloribreathtest

This is a safe and simple laboratory test that is used

to detect activeH. pyloriinfection. It involves breathing

into a balloon-like bag, then drinking a small amount

of a clear solution and breathing into the bag again 20

to 30 minutes later. The air that is breathed into the bag

the second time is tested for an increase in carbon

dioxide. The test involves some preparation, such as

avoiding antibiotics and acid-relieving medications for

weeks before the test. No eating or drinking is allowed

one hour before the test, but the procedure lasts only

about 30 minutes and normal diet can be resumed

immediately following the test. This test also is effective

at monitoring treatment, since a patient can be retested

to determine ifH. pyloriantibodies are still present a

month or more later.

Fecal occult blood test

The fecal occult blood test is used to detect tiny or

invisible blood in the stool, or feces. It may be used to

Common sites of ulcers in the human stomach.(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group/Thomson Gale.)

Ulcers