Stomach ulcers or medically called as peptic ulcers are the open sores that develop in the walls of the stomach and first part of small intestine known as Duodenum. The most common sign and symptom of a stomach ulcer is a persistent burning pain in the upper abdomen that may be relieved by eating or taking some medicine.
Stomach ulcer signs and symptoms:
Most common symptoms in addition to pain are as follows:
1. Nausea.
2. Vomiting and sometimes vomiting with blood.
3. Loss of appetite or weight reduce.
4.Feeling full or bloated after eating a small amount of food.
5. Acid reflux.
6. Difficulty in swallowing.
7. Blackish and bloody stools.
8. Fatigue.
9. Unexplained anemia.
It is the main point to be noted that not everyone with a stomach ulcer will have all these symptoms. May be some of these symptoms can be associated with other gastrointestinal conditions. So it is very important consult with some medical specialist if you have any problem in your stomach or gastrointestinal tract.
Stomach ulcer pain location:
The pain because of stomach ulcer is usually situated in the upper abdomen that is the area between the chest and the belly. Some time pain felt as a persistent burning and it may be range from mild to severe.
In some cases, the pain may radiate to the back or chest. The pain may be more severe when the stomach is empty or during the night, and it may be relieved by eating or taking symptomatic treatments like antacids syrup or tablets.
Be aware and note this point that the symptoms of a stomach ulcer may be differ depending on person and the severity of the conditin, and not every person with a stomach ulcer will experience pain. Other common symptoms of a stomach ulcer include indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Any person who have experience any of these symptoms, it's better to consult with a doctor or medical specialist for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Stomach ulcer causes:
Stomach ulcers are also known as gastric ulcers. These are open sores that develops on the lining of the stomach. The helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is the common cause of stomach ulcer which is the infection with a bacterium. Other causes are:
1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
For example; aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can irritate the lining of stomach and uases ulcer if these are used regularly.
2. Excessive alcohol consumption:
Excess use of alcohol can also lead to the stomach ulcer.
3. Smoking:
Cigarette smoke can also increase the risk of stomach disorders.
4. Stress:
Though stress is not a direct cause of such disorders but it can increase acidity. Increased rate of acidity may lead toward ulcer and also affect the lining of stomach.
5. Genetics:
Some people have such disorders genetically predisposed.
6. Other medical conditions:
Certain medical conditions increase risk of such disorders. For instance ; zollinger-ellisor syndrome, Crohn's disease, kidney and liver disorders etc.
The point to be noted is that none of the person which is infected with H-pylori and NSAIDs will develop stomach ulcer. But they increase its risk . If you notice any of its symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting must consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis of stomach ulcer:
1. Endoscopy:
Any patient who have severe symptoms of ulcer. In this situation doctor recommend a procedure called endoscopy to determine may be patient have an ulcer. In this procedure, the doctor use an endoscope (a tube contains very small camera). Insert this tube from mouth into esophagus pass into stomach to completely watch the abnormalities inside stomach and first part of small intestine.
2. H. Pylori test:
To kill H. Pylori bacteria first of all doctor mostly use to test the H. Pylori bacteria by different ways:
* Breath test very easy way to detect H. Pylori.
* Sometimes use blood or stool test.
* Sometimes use to test the sample takes during endoscopy.
3. X-ray or CT-scan tests:
Occasionally doctor may use X-rays and CT scans test to confirm ulcers.
During this procedure patient have to drink a liquid that coats the stomach and intestine as a result ulcers area became sharply visible.
Stomach Ulcer treatment:
Peptic ulcer is a type of stomach ulcer. These are the sores in the lining of stomach and small intestine. It's caused by helicobacter pylori with is type of bacterial infection.
It's some common treatments are as follows:
1. Antibiotics:
If ulcer causing agent is bacteria you are prescribed from your doctor a course of antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria. It's a first step of treating H.pylori
2. Acid-reducing medication:
Acid reducing medication such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptors blockers ( H2 blockers) are used to reduce stomach's acidity helps to relieve symptoms and promote healing.
3. Antacids:
Antacids neutralize acidity and provide quick relief. But it's not used as a long term treatment.
4. Change in lifestyle:
Changing lifestyle also help to overcome this problem which must be changed by changing your daily routine plan by avoid from eating spicy food, highly cholesterol contained food , smoking etc.
We all must aware from this that it's a serious medical condition. After it's diagnosis it is important to take proper treatment. Some time it is treated with surgery.
5. Surgical treatment:
When there is any complication in stomach ulcer disease in this case medical specialist have to make the decision of surgery.
Usually complication are as:
* Ulcer not heals.
* bleeding
* Tear through the stomach.
* keep food from flowing out of the stomach into the small intestine
During surgical treatment some time there is completely removal of the entire ulcer. Some time takes tissues from other area of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer point.
Some time tye off a bleeding artery.
Some time disconnect nerve supply towards stomach so that production of stomach acid is stop.
