Final answer:
The patient's symptoms and endoscopy results suggest a peptic ulcer, diagnosed through endoscopy and treated with antibiotics and stomach acid reducers. Complications can include perforation, requiring emergency surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The case describes a patient with abrupt-onset retrosternal pain and severe odynophagia, which are symptoms often associated with peptic ulcers. An endoscopy shows discrete ulcers within the GI tract. Peptic ulcers typically occur in the stomach or duodenum and are generally diagnosed via symptoms, presence of Helicobacter pylori, or through direct visualization with a camera during an endoscopy. Treatment for peptic ulcers includes administering antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori and medications to reduce stomach acid and promote healing. Yet, due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, this treatment may not always be effective. If peptic ulcers perforate the stomach or duodenal wall, emergency surgery may be necessary.
Abrupt-onset retrosternal pain can be indicative of a gastric ulcer, where irritation of the ulcer by gastric juice is common. Other signs include nausea, lack of appetite, bloating, burping, and weight loss. Serious complications like bleeding and stomach perforation require urgent care, as digestive enzymes and acid can leak into the body, posing a severe health risk.