How To Differentiate Between Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers

Gastritis and peptic ulcers often present with similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between the two based solely on clinical signs. Both conditions can cause upper abdominal pain, bloating, belching, nausea, and vomiting. However, peptic ulcers tend to cause more severe symptoms due to deeper damage to the stomach lining.

The key distinction between gastritis and peptic ulcers lies in the extent of mucosal injury. Gastritis typically involves inflammation of the stomach lining, characterized by redness, swelling, and sometimes scattered erosions or a roughened appearance of the mucosa. In contrast, peptic ulcers are open sores that penetrate through the mucosal layer, which can be clearly observed during an endoscopic examination.

It's also important to note that peptic ulcers can be either benign or malignant. While their appearance under endoscopy may vary, the most reliable way to determine the nature of an ulcer is through pathological analysis. This highlights the importance of undergoing a gastroscopy, as symptom description alone is not sufficient for accurate diagnosis.

Gastroscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing both gastritis and peptic ulcers, allowing doctors to directly visualize changes in the stomach lining and take biopsies if necessary. Patients should not rely on symptom evaluation alone but should seek professional medical testing for a definitive diagnosis.

In summary, while gastritis and peptic ulcers share common symptoms, only a proper endoscopic examination can accurately identify the underlying condition, helping to guide appropriate treatment and management strategies.