Stomach Ulcer: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

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What is a stomach ulcer?

Ulcers of the stomach sometimes referred to as gastric ulcers, are painful sores that can develop in the lining of the stomach. Peptic ulcer disease can take several forms, including stomach ulcers. Ulcers that infect both the stomach and the small intestines are together referred to as peptic ulcers.

Ulcers of the stomach develop when there is a reduction in the thick layer of mucus that normally protects the stomach from the digestive juices. Because of this, the digestive acids are able to eat away at the tissues lining the stomach, which ultimately results in the development of an ulcer.

Ulcers in the stomach can be readily treated, but if left untreated, they can worsen and become life-threatening.

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Why do people get ulcers in their stomachs?

Ulcers in the stomach are usually invariably brought on by one of the following causes:

long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen; an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori); and an increased risk of stomach cancer.

Due to an increase in the amount of acid that is produced by the body, the condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can occasionally lead to ulcers in the stomach and the intestines. It is believed that this illness is responsible for fewer than one percent of all peptic ulcers.

Signs and symptoms of ulcers in the stomach

Ulcers in the stomach are connected with a range of different symptoms. The severity of the symptoms is directly proportional to the degree to which the ulcer has progressed.

The majority of people report feeling a burning sensation or experiencing discomfort in the centre of their abdomen, which is located between their chest and their belly button. In most cases, the pain will be at its worst when you have nothing in your stomach, and it can continue for anything from a few minutes to several hours.

Other indications and symptoms of ulcers that are common include the following:

a deep ache in the stomach and a loss of weight

symptoms such as not wanting to eat because of the pain, nausea or vomiting, bloating, feeling easily full, burping, or acid reflux heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest) pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids include: not wanting to eat because of the pain, bloating, feeling easily full, and heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the

anaemia is characterised by a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, paler skin, dark, tarry stools, vomiting that is bloody or appears to be coffee grounds, and pale skin.

If you experience any of the signs of a stomach ulcer, you should consult your doctor. Ulcers, despite the fact that they may only cause slight discomfort at first, can get significantly worse if they are not treated. Ulcers that bleed regularly have the potential to be fatal.

How exactly do doctors diagnose stomach ulcers?

Your symptoms and the degree to which your ulcer has progressed will determine the course of diagnosis and therapy. Your medical history, along with your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are currently taking, will be evaluated by your doctor in order to arrive at a diagnosis of a stomach ulcer.

An H. pylori infection may be excluded from the diagnosis with the help of a blood, stool, or breath test. You will be given a clear liquid to drink before taking a breath test, during which you will be directed to breathe into a bag, which will then be sealed. The breath sample will have higher-than-normal concentrations of carbon dioxide if H. pylori are present in the patient’s stomach.

The following are some other tests and procedures that are used to identify stomach ulcers:

A barium swallow is a procedure in which the patient drinks a thick, white liquid (barium) that coats the upper gastrointestinal tract and enables the physician to better observe the stomach and small intestine on X-rays.

An endoscope, often known as an EGD, is a procedure in which a thin, illuminated tube is sent through the mouth and into the stomach as well as the beginning of the small intestine. The purpose of this test is to search for ulcers, bleeding, and any abnormal tissue that may be present.

During an endoscopic biopsy, a small sample of stomach tissue is taken out and sent to a lab for examination.

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Managing the treatment of stomach ulcers

The treatment you receive will be determined by the underlying cause of your ulcer. In most circumstances, your doctor will be able to treat your ulcer with prescription medication, but in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

It is essential to begin treatment for an ulcer as soon as possible. Have a discussion about a treatment plan with your attending physician. If you have an ulcer that is actively bleeding, you will most likely be sent to the hospital for intensive treatment that includes endoscopy and the administration of ulcer medicines by IV. A blood transfusion might be necessary for you as well.

Therapy that does not involve surgery

Antibioticares and medications known as proton pump inhibitors will be necessary for the event that H. pylori is the cause of the ulcer on your stomach (PPIs). PPIs inhibit the cells in the stomach that are responsible for producing acid.

Your physician may also suggest the following therapies in addition to these ones:

Blockers of the H2 receptor (drugs that also block acid production)

quitting the use of any and all NSAIDs

probiotics for a subsequent endoscopic examination (useful bacteria that may have a role in killing off H. pylori)

dietary supplement bismuth

It’s possible that treating an ulcer will swiftly relieve its symptoms. You should keep taking any medication that was prescribed to you by your doctor, even if the symptoms that you were experiencing go away. This is of utmost significance when dealing with H. pylori infections, as it is imperative that any and all germs be eradicated.

The following are examples of some of the potential adverse effects of drugs used to treat stomach ulcers:

nausea \sdizziness \sheadaches

diarrhoea abdominal discomfort

These negative effects normally only last for a short time. Talk to your healthcare provider about switching medications if you have any of these side effects that cause you considerable discomfort.

Surgical therapy

Surgery may be necessary to treat a serious stomach ulcer, however, this only occurs extremely rarely. Ulcers that fall under this category may be affected by this:

continue to return

do not restore health.

rip a hole through the middle of the stomach.

preventing food from passing from the stomach into the small intestine is very important.

Surgical procedures may include:

excision of the ulcer in its entirety

removing tissue from another region of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer site cutting off the nerve supply to the stomach in order to decrease the generation of stomach acid by taking tissue from another region of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer location

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Healthful diet

It was formerly believed that one’s food could be the root cause of ulcers. This is no longer believed to be accurate. We also know that the foods you consume neither cause nor cure stomach ulcers; nonetheless, consuming a diet high in healthy foods can be beneficial to the health of your intestinal tract as well as your general health.

It is generally recommended that one consumes a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and other sources of fibre.

Having said that, it is probable that certain foods contribute to the elimination of H. pylori in the body. The following is a list of foods that may help in the fight against H. pylori or in boosting the body’s own good bacteria:

radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower are some of the vegetables included.

vegetables with a lot of leaves, like spinach and kale

foods that are high in probiotics, such as yoghurt, kombucha, miso, and sauerkraut (especially with lactobacillus and Sacharomyces)

apples

a variety of berries: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries

olive oil

In addition, because people who have stomach ulcers may also have associated acid reflux illness, it is a good idea to avoid eating foods that are spicy and sour while an ulcer is healing because it might make acid reflux worse.

Natural treatments for stomach sores and ulcers

In addition to consuming nutritious foods, the following things, which may also help lessen the effects of H. pylori, the bacteria that is responsible for many stomach ulcers, may be found here. However, these dietary supplements are not meant to be taken in place of prescribed medication or the treatment that you are already receiving. They are as follows:

glutamine, honey, and probiotics (food sources include chicken, fish, eggs, spinach, and cabbage)

Your doctor may also have recommendations for activities you may do in the comfort of your own home to alleviate the pain caused by your ulcer. It is recommended that you discuss these natural and at-home treatments for ulcers with your primary care physician.

When should you give a doctor a call or go to the hospital?

Call your physician immediately if you suspect that you may have an ulcer in your stomach. You can talk about your symptoms and the many therapy possibilities together. You can use the Healthline FindCare service to locate a healthcare provider in your area if you do not currently have a primary care physician.

It is essential to seek treatment for a stomach ulcer since, if left untreated, ulcers and H. pylori can lead to the following conditions:

bleeding from the ulcer site that can become life-threatening penetration, which occurs when the ulcer goes through the wall of the digestive tract and into another organ, such as the pancreas perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract obstruction (blockage), which occurs in the digestive tract due to swelling of inflamed tissues bleeding from the ulcer site that can become life-threatening perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract

cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, more specifically non-cardia gastric cancer

Reliable Reference

The following is a list of possible symptoms associated with these complications: If you have any of these symptoms, be careful to phone your doctor straight away:

weakness \strouble breathing \sred or black vomit or stools \ssudden, severe pain in your belly that doesn’t go away

Avoidance of developing stomach ulcers

Regular hand washing with soap and water can be an effective method for preventing the spread of bacteria that could lead to the development of a stomach ulcer. In addition to this, make sure that all of your food is fully cleaned and that you cook it for the appropriate amount of time.

Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) completely (if at all possible) or reduce how often you take them. If you have to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), make sure to stick to the dosage that’s recommended for you and stay away from alcohol while you’re on these drugs. In addition, these medicines should always be consumed with food and the recommended amount of drink.