Stomach Ulcer | Causes | Symptoms

Stomach Ulcer: This article will give you details on Stomach Ulcer, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment/Cure…Read below to see more about this.

Stomach/Peptic Ulcer

Stomach ulcer also known as Peptic ulcers are sores/holes or disruptions in the protective lining of the stomach or duodenum (upper part of small intestine) as a result of contact with stomach acids and enzymes.

Ulcers develop as a result of stomach acid damaging the lining of the digestive tract which brings up roughly created holes on the upper surface of the small intestine.

Common Causes of Stomach Ulcer

Peptic/Stomach ulcer is commonly caused by the bacteria (Helicobacter) H. Pylori.

Research carried out since the mid-1980s shows that more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and about 80% of stomach ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) because of its presence in it.

But current research shows a decline in the percentages of H. Pylori.

Other causes of ulcer include Overuse of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/painkillers like;
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Heavy alcohol use
Psychological stress
Smoking

In addition to the causes of ulcer, type A blood are more likely to develop cancerous stomach ulcers and Duodenal ulcers are mostly found in individuals with type O blood – this might be due to lack of producing the substance on the surface of blood cells that may protect the lining of the duodenum.

Symptoms of Ulcer – Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms | There are various symptoms of ulcer; below are the common ulcer symptoms:

Uneasiness between meals or during the night (duodenal ulcer)
Stomach pains when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
Nocturnal Stomach pain (wakes you up at night)
Unusual gas release
Bloating, burning or dull pain in your stomach
The discomfort lasts for minutes, hours or days.

Other symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting blood
Weight loss
Blood in your stool or dark stools
Back pain

Ulcer Diagnose

On the aspect of diagnosing ulcer, a doctor is required to do that. If your doctor reasons on you having a peptic ulcer, they’ll possibly start with a bodily exam and run some tests which will involve;

Feeling your belly and asking if you’ve had things like soreness, pain, or swelling – Using stethoscope to listen to any sounds your stomach is making.
Signs of the H. pylori bacteria will be tested for, samples of your blood, stool, or breath may be required for these.
In the aspect of cases involving symptoms like weight loss (in older people), use of a long, flexible tube called an endoscope to look down your throat and into your stomach for signs of an ulcer might be involve. This is done after a sleeping medicine has been given to the person involved.

Ulcer Cure – Ulcer Treatment

Treatment of ulcer shouldn’t be done without first seeing your doctor – you can find an end to ulcer pain as well as a lifelong cure for it with the help of a doctor.

A doctor knows the right antibiotic medicine to treat an H. pylori infection. The best treatment for ulcer which will be prescribed by your doctor is; a combination of 2 antibiotics and a Protein Pump Inhibitor (PPI) – like Aciphex or Nexium.

Two types of medicines are use; H2 blockers and PPIs (Group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach).

This medicine might be taken up to eight (8) weeks depending on the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Several other medicines can be used to help treat ulcers.

Over-the-counter antacid medicine provides momentary relief, that’s why you need a doctor for the correct medicine which lead to a permanent relief/cure for a peptic/stomach ulcer.

Smoking, caffeine and alcoholism worsens the case of ulcer. Therefore, it is advice for one with an ulcer condition to stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Avoid fatty, acidic (orange juice) and spicy foods because it makes your symptoms worse.

Eat fruits that Antacid containing fruits like;
Oatmeal

Bananas

Salad greens

Yogurt

Ginger tea

Take Vegetables for Acid Reflux, like: broccoli, cucumber, kale, radish, and spinach

If an ulcer condition as stayed for a prolong time without being treated, it becomes severe an in such cases you may need surgery.
Misoprostol medicine might be recommended by your doctor, if antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine irritates your stomach.

Questions An Ulcer Patient should ask his/her Doctor

How can I identify the difference between an ulcer and the stomach flu?
Am I at risk of getting multiple ulcers?
Are there side effects of taking the ulcer medicines?
Are ulcers a sign of another health condition?
What if am allergic to ulcer antibiotics?