Stomach Ulcers

What is a stomach ulcer?

ulcer definition - Stomach ulcers, which also are referred to as gastric ulcers, are painful sores within the stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are a kind of peptic ulceration disease. Peptic ulcers are any ulcers that affect both the stomach and little intestines.

Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduced. this enables the digestive acids to eat away at the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer.

Stomach ulcers could also be easily cured, but they will become severe without proper treatment.

What causes stomach ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are nearly always caused by one among the following:

1. an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
2. long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

Rarely, a condition referred to as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers by increasing the body’s production of acid. This syndrome is suspected to cause but 1 percent of all peptic ulcers.

Symptoms of stomach ulcers

A number of symptoms are related to stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The most common symptom may be a burning sensation or pain within the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain are going to be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a couple of minutes to many hours.

Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:

• dull pain within the stomach
• weight loss
• not eager to eat due to pain
• nausea or vomiting
• bloating
• feeling easily full
• burping or acid reflux
• heartburn, which may be a burning sensation within the chest)
• pain which will improve once you eat, drink, or take antacids
• anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
• dark, tarry stools
• vomit that’s bloody or seems like dregs

Talk to your doctor if you've got any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. albeit discomfort could also be mild, ulcers can worsen if they aren’t treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.

How are stomach ulcers diagnosed?

Diagnosis and treatment will depend upon your symptoms and therefore the severity of your ulcer. To diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will review your medical record along side your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking.

To rule out H. pylori infection, a blood, stool, or breath test could also be ordered. With a breath test, you’ll be instructed to drink a transparent liquid and breathe into a bag, which is then sealed. If H. pylori is present, the breath sample will contain higher-than-normal levels of CO2 .

Other tests and procedures wont to diagnose stomach ulcers include:

• Barium swallow: You drink a thick white liquid (barium) that coats your upper alimentary canal and helps your doctor see your stomach and little intestine on X-rays.
• Endoscopy (EGD): a skinny , lighted tube is inserted through your mouth and into the stomach and therefore the first a part of the tiny intestine. This test is employed to seem for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that appears abnormal.
• Endoscopic biopsy: a bit of stomach tissue is removed so it are often analyzed during a lab.

Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to find out more about stomach ulcers.

Treating stomach ulcers

Treatment will vary counting on the explanation for your ulcer. Most ulcers are often treated with a prescription from your doctor, but in rare cases, surgery could also be required.

It’s important to promptly treat an ulcer. ask your doctor to debate a treatment plan. If you've got an actively bleeding ulcer, you’ll likely be hospitalized for intensive treatment with endoscopy and IV ulcer medications. you'll also require a transfusion .

Nonsurgical treatment

If your stomach ulcer is that the results of H. pylori, you’ll need antibiotics and medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs block the stomach cells that produce acid.

In addition to those treatments, your doctor can also recommend:

1. H2 receptor blockers (drugs that also block acid production)
2. stopping use of all NSAIDs
3. follow-up endoscopy
4. probiotics (useful bacteria which will have a task in killing off H. pylori)
5. bismuth supplement

Symptoms of an ulcer may subside quickly with treatment. But albeit your symptoms disappear, you ought to still take any medication prescribed by your doctor. this is often especially important with H. pylori infections, to form sure that each one bacteria are eliminated.

Side effects of medicines wont to treat stomach ulcers can include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• headaches
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain

These side effects are typically temporary. If any of those side effects cause extreme discomfort, ask your doctor about changing your medication.

Surgical treatment

In very rare cases, a sophisticated stomach ulcer would require surgery. this might be the case for ulcers that:

1. continue to return
2. don’t heal
3. bleed
4. tear through the stomach
5. keep food from flowing out of the stomach into the tiny intestine

Surgery may include:

• removal of the whole ulcer
• taking tissue from another a part of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer site
• tying off a bleeding artery
• cutting off the nerve supply to the stomach to scale back the assembly of stomach acid

Healthful diet

In the past, it had been thought that diet could cause ulcers. we all know now this isn’t true. We also know that while the foods you eat won’t cause or cure a stomach ulcer, eating a healthful diet can benefit your intestinal tract and overall health.

In general, it’s an honest idea to eat a diet with many fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

That said, it’s possible that some foods play a task in eliminating H. pylori. Foods which will help repel H. pylori or boost the body’s own healthy bacteria include:

• broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes
• leafy greens, like spinach and kale
• probiotic-rich foods, like sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, yogurt (especially with lactobacillus and Sacharomyces)
• apples
• blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries
• olive oil

Additionally, since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it's an honest idea to remain faraway from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.

Home remedies for stomach ulcers

In addition to eating healthy foods, the subsequent items may help reduce the consequences of H. pylori, the bacteria liable for many stomach ulcers. However, these supplements aren't intended to exchange prescription medication or your current treatment plan. They include:

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

Your doctor can also have suggestions for belongings you can do reception to alleviate discomfort from your ulcer. Consider lecture your doctor about these natural and residential remedies for ulcers.

When do you have to call or see a doctor?

If you think that you've got a stomach ulcer, call your doctor. Together you'll discuss your symptoms and treatment options. If you don’t have already got a physician, you'll use the Healthline FindCare tool to seek out a provider near you.

It’s important to urge a stomach ulcer taken care of because without treatment, ulcers and H. pylori can cause:

• bleeding from the ulcer site which will become life-threatening
• penetration, which occurs when the ulcer goes through the wall of the alimentary canal and into another organ, like the pancreas
• perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole within the wall of the alimentary canal
• obstruction (blockage) within the alimentary canal , which is thanks to swelling of inflamed tissues
• stomach cancer, specifically non-cardia gastric cancerTrusted Source

Symptoms of those complications can include those listed below. If you've got any of those symptoms, make certain to call you doctor right away:

• weakness
• trouble breathing
• red or yellow jack or stools
• sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen that doesn’t get away

Prevention of stomach ulcers

To prevent the spread of bacteria which may cause a stomach ulcer, wash your hands with soap and water on a daily basis. Also, make certain to properly clean all of your food and to cook it thoroughly as required .

To prevent ulcers caused by NSAIDs, stop using these medications (if possible) or limit their use. If you would like to require NSAIDs, make certain to follow the recommended dosage and avoid alcohol while taking these medications. And always take these medications with food and adequate liquids.

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