9Possible Complications
People with worsening or chronic duodenal ulcers might experience a few complications:
– Malnutrition: Due to low food consumption, a deficiency of minerals and vitamins may happen. This would lead to further issues, such as skin fragility, bone weakness, and immune deficiencies. However, this complication is not common.
– Bleeding: This is the most common complication of duodenal ulcers. Tarry or black stools could indicate this bleeding. In some worse cases, the ulcers can lead to massive blood loss and become fatal.
– Obstruction: When the ulcer is inflamed, it might block the passageway and affect the small intestine. This is a medical emergency that should be treated immediately.
– Perforation: This is a hole that occurs when the small intestine or stomach’s lining is worn away. This causes gastrointestinal fluid to leak into the body. You might experience serious shock and abdominal pain. Like obstruction, surgery is needed urgently to prevent further complications. [9]
