The first portion of your small intestine is called the duodenum. It is the part of your intestine that food enters into from the stomach. In some instances, it may not form in early embryonic development, a condition called duodenal atresia. Ulcers and cancer are other duodenal disorders.
Duodenal Ulcers
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a duodenal ulcer refers to a sore that develops on your duodenum as a result of a bacteria called helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. In fact, this bacteria actually produces certain substances that make your intestines prone to damage. Specifically, your stomach acid irritates your intestinal lining and causes these ulcers. Smoking, caffeine consumption, alcohol, stress and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen put you at risk for developing duodenal ulcers.
The University of Maryland Medical Center says that physical symptoms of duodenal ulcers include a severe stomach pain, belching, vomiting, a poor appetite, weakness, fatigue and unintentional weight loss.
Treatment for duodenal ulcers includes making such lifestyle changes as avoiding alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine. Medications such as omeprazole are acid-blockers that prevent your stomach from making excessive amounts of acid. Your local pharmacy also sells antacids that serve to neutralize your stomach acid. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary if H. pylori is the cause of your duodenal ulcers. Lastly, surgery remains an option when duodenal ulcers do not resolve with the aforementioned treatment methods.
Duodenal Atresia
Duodenal atresia is a medical problem in which a child's duodenum does not form properly. MedlinePlus says that 1 out of every 100,000 births results in duodenal atresia. The cause is still unclear. Typical manifestations of duodenal atresia include upper region stomach pain, persistent vomiting of large quantities of green fluid (bile) and problems urinating or having a bowel movement. Your doctor will place a tube into your child's stomach as a means to decompress it. He will also give your child intravenous fluids to replace the fluid and electrolytes lost during vomiting. Surgery may be necessary to correct this medical problem.
Duodenal Cancer
Duodenal cancer, also known as small bowel cancer, is a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms of small bowel cancer include stomach pain or cramping, nausea and changes in your bowel habits. The Mayo Clinic says that treatment of this type of cancer includes surgery to resect (cut out) the tumor and radiation or chemotherapy treatments to destroy the cancer cells.
