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Stomach ulcer: overview, causes, symptoms and treatment

Last updated on : 16 May, 2024

Read time : 5 min

What is a Stomach ulcer?

Stomach ulcers are painful sores on the stomach lining, Peptic ulcer disease causes. Peptic ulcers affect the stomach and small intestine. Dietary changes can cause stomach ulcers by reducing the protective mucus layer. This permits the stomach’s digestive acids to eat away at the tissues, causing an ulcer.

Peptic ulcers are a group of conditions that include:

  • Gastric ulcers are small sores that develop on the inside of the stomach.
  • Irritation of the duodenum, which occurs on the interior of the upper region of the small intestine (duodenum)

A prominent ulcer cause is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), as well as long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, other brands) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, other brands) (Aleve). Stress and spicy foods do not contribute to the development of peptic ulcers. However, they have the potential to exacerbate your symptoms. Peptic ulcers, sometimes called gastric ulcers, are open sores that form on the stomach lining.

Stomach ulcer symptoms

Having pain in your upper stomach is one of the most common stomach ulcer symptoms:

  • Stomach ulcer symptoms are bloating-This is a sign that your stomach is bloated with gas or air.
  • Stomach ulcer symptoms are retching. Known as ‘heaving’ in some circles. This indicates that you are making sounds and appearing as if you are ready to vomit, but you are not actually vomiting.
  • Stomach ulcer symptoms are vomiting.
  • After a meal, you may find yourself feeling extremely stuffed.
  • Having a bad stomach makes you feel bad (nausea).
  • A bad appetite
  • A reduction in body weight

Other peptic ulcer symptoms:

  1. Feeling full and having issues Drinking as much water as normal.
  2. Nausea.
  3. Vomiting.
  4. Some stools can be bloody or dark and thick with tar.
  5. Having chest pain
  6. Fatigue
  7. Vomiting, possibly bloody
  8. People lose weight.
  9. Heartburn has been going on for a long time.

What are the peptic ulcer symptoms for any potential complications?

Peptic ulcers can result in a variety of consequences, however, these are becoming less prevalent as a result of the availability of more effective therapies. Complications, on the other hand, can be extremely dangerous and include the following:

  1. Stomach ulcer symptoms are causing bleeding-
  • This can range from a minor ‘trickle’ to a potentially life-threatening haemorrhage.
  • If you experience rapid and intense bleeding, you may vomit blood (this is referred to as haematemesis) and become very dizzy as a result.
  • You may vomit if you experience less severe abrupt bleeding, and the vomit will be coffee-coloured because the stomach acid has partially broken down the blood.
  • More gradually, a trickle of blood will flow through your gut (intestine) and cause your stools (faeces) to appear quite dark in colour, if not completely black in colour (this is called melaena).

2. Stomach ulcer symptoms are perforation-

An ulcer has punctured the stomach wall, and this is the word used to describe an ulcer that has perforated the stomach wall completely. Food and acid in the stomach are then expelled through the stomach’s opening. This frequently results in significant pain and makes you feel extremely ill. Having a perforated stomach is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalisation and treatment.

3. Bloating in the stomach-This is becoming increasingly rare. In the case of a peptic ulcer at the end of the stomach, the outlet of the stomach (the section of the stomach that empties into the duodenum) may become narrowed and so cause an obstruction.

Signs of stomach ulcer

  • stomach ache that is mild in nature
  • a reduction in body weight
  • Because of the discomfort, you are unable to eat.
  • a feeling of nausea or vomiting
  • balloting.
  • feeling satiated without effort
  • Heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest) is another term for this condition.

Stomach ulcer causes

Stomach ulcers occur when the stomach or small intestine acid erodes the inner surface, producing pain and suffering. The acid can cause a painful open sore that may bleed if not treated immediately.

Your digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer, which generally serves to protect it from acidic substances. However, if the amount of acid in your stomach increases or the amount of mucus in your stomach decreases, you may develop an ulcer.

The following are examples of common causes:

  • Stomach ulcers caused by bacteria-Helicobacter pylori bacteria are usually found in the mucous layer that covers and protects the tissues that line the stomach and small intestine, where they multiply and multiply. Often, the H. pylori bacterium does not cause any difficulties, but it might cause inflammation of the stomach’s inner layer, resulting in the development of a stomach ulcer.
  • Use of certain pain medications on a regular basis-Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can irritate or inflame the stomach and small intestine lining.
  • Stomach ulcer causes by other medicines-Taken in combination with other drugs such as steroid injections or low-dose aspirin or SSRIs or alendronate or risedronate can dramatically increase the risk of ulcer development.

Peptic ulcer treatment

Peptic ulcer treatment varies depending on the underlying condition. In most cases, treatment will include eradicating the H. pylori bacterium if it is present, reducing or eliminating the use of NSAIDs, and using medication to help your ulcer heal.

  • Peptic ulcer treatment with antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori-You may need to take antibiotics if you have H. pylori in your digestive tract. Antibiotics such as Amoxil, azithromycin, clindamycin (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), doxycycline, and levofloxacin are just a few of the many options available.
  • Peptic ulcer treatment by using acid-blocking medications that aid in the healing process-It includes omeprazole, lansoprazole, Prevacid, rabeprazole, Nexium, and pantoprazole, which are all prescription and over-the-counter drugs (Protonix).
  • Neutralizing gastric acid using antacids-Your doctor might put an antacid in your medicine. The acid in your stomach can be neutralised with antacids, which can help relieve pain quickly. There may be side effects like constipation or diarrhoea, depending on what the main ingredients are.

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Our healthcare experts have carefully reviewed and compiled the information presented here to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. It is important to note that this information serves as a general overview of the topic and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or cure any health problem. This page does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does it replace the advice or consultation of a registered medical practitioner. We recommend seeking guidance from your registered medical practitioner for any questions or concerns regarding your medical condition.

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