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Top Peptic Ulcer Disease Gastroenterologist
Dr. Scott at GastroDoxs in Houston provides quality comprehensive care on peptic ulcer disease. His professional staff strives to cure ulcers, pain and to enhance your general digestive health using specific diagnosis and tailor-crafted treatment programs as well as lifestyle guidance and the most sophisticated endoscopy.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
What Is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
A peptic ulcer disease is a condition that develops when open sores appear on the inner surface of the stomach or the lower section of the small intestine and in most cases is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori or the use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen in the long run.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Infection with H. pylori bacteria
Long-term use of NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
Smoking or other tobacco use
Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
High stress levels or poor sleep habits
Family history of peptic ulcers
Signs and Symptoms
Burning or gnawing pain between the chest and belly button
Pain that improves or worsens with eating
Bloating, burping, or indigestion
Nausea or occasional vomiting
Black, tar-like stools (indicates bleeding)
Unintended weight loss
How Dr. Scott Diagnoses This Condition?
Dr. Scott uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Exam
He examines your medical history, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol and smoking, positive family health history of ulcers, and the description of your epigastric pain.
H. pylori Testing
Breath or blood tests which do not require any kind of invasion to identify the presence of Helicobacter pylori which is a common cause of ulcers.
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
Direct visualization of the stomach and duodenum lining to locate and assess ulcers.
Biopsy samples for H. pylori confirmation and to rule out other conditions.
Imaging Studies (if needed)
A perforation or obstruction can be ordered occasionally as a barium swallow X-ray or CT scan.
ICD-10 Coding
After confirmation Dr. Scott gives the appropriate code (typically, to record the type of peptic ulcer, K27.9 represents unspecified peptic ulcer).
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for peptic ulcer disease.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Keep off the foods triggering the pain (spicy, fatty or acidic food).
Stop cigarette smoking and reduce alcohol and caffeine.
Have smaller but frequent meals in order to digest.
Add stress-religious practices such as exercise or mindfulness.
Medications
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to a great extent to lower the stomach acid.
Blockers of the H2 receptor to reduce acid secretion.
The H. pylori eradication antibiotic regimens.
Rapid symptom relief antacids.
Minimally Invasive or Advanced Surgeries
Endoscopic treatment to control or prevent bleeding in the ulcer.
Fine-tuning endoscopy therapies due to the assessment of ulcers.
Operative treatment including ulcer surgery which does not heal despite medical treatment.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
So what is the difference between gastritis and peptic ulcers?
Peptic wound ulcers are open wounds of the stomach or the upper small intestine lining. Gastritis is a sore-less irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining.
What is the estimated time of healing an ulcer?
Most of the ulcers can be cured in 4 to 8 weeks with the right treatment, including acid-suppressing drugs and H. pylori antibiotics.
Do I need an endoscopy?
Yes. Peptic ulcers can be best visualised and diagnosed using an upper endoscopy (EGD) to determine their extent as well as direct treatment.
Will my ulcer be solved by lifestyle modifications?
Lifestyle and nutrition changes can be used to alleviate the symptoms and aid the recovery, yet the majority of ulcers need medications such as PPIs, H2 blockers, or antibiotics.
Are ulcers inherited?
Having a family history may make you more vulnerable to this particularly where your family members are known to have been infected by H. pylori or developed peptic ulcers. Nonetheless, there are bigger roles of lifestyle and bacterial factors.
ICD-10 code of ulcers?
The overall code of unspecified peptic ulcer is K27.9. Depending on the site and complications, your provider can employ more detailed codes.
When should I go to the ER?
Emergency treatment is necessary in case of severe pains in the abdominal area, mounting of blood or coffee grains and black tarant-like stools—symptoms of possible bleeding.
