Buzz
Ulcers are damages that appear on the skin or mucous membranes of the body. When this occurs in the stomach or small intestine, it's known as gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. Stomach ulcers are often caused by lifestyle factors such as diet and stress, or excess acid in the stomach. However, the primary cause is an infection with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. The symptoms of stomach ulcers can vary in severity, and sometimes ulcers show no symptoms at all, meaning the person may not experience any signs of stomach ulcers.
Steps
Identify Symptoms
Pay attention to pain in the area between the breastbone and belly button. The severity and duration of pain can vary between individuals, and it may last from several minutes to hours in any location. Pain usually occurs between meals when your stomach is empty. It may feel burning or like being stabbed.
- Sometimes, pain from a stomach ulcer is temporarily relieved by eating foods that cushion the stomach acid or taking over-the-counter antacids.
- If you have a stomach ulcer, the pain may also occur at night or when you're hungry.
Keep track of other symptoms of stomach ulcers. Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, but you might encounter some of them:
- Abdominal bloating and acid reflux.
- Feeling full and unable to drink much water.
- Hunger after a few hours of eating.
- Feeling nauseous, especially in the morning when getting out of bed.
- Fatigue and general discomfort.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
Identify severe symptoms of stomach ulcers. If left untreated, stomach ulcers can lead to internal bleeding and other issues that require emergency care.
- Vomiting, especially vomiting blood, could indicate the severity of the ulcer.
- Loose stools that are dark and tarry also signal a severe stomach ulcer.
- Presence of blood in the stool.
Consult a doctor if you experience any symptoms of stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers are serious and need medical treatment. Over-the-counter medications can only offer temporary pain relief but won't cure the condition permanently.
Recognize if you're at risk for stomach ulcers. Although stomach ulcers have various causes, certain individuals are at higher risk, including:
- People infected with H. pylori bacteria.
- Those who frequently take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.
- People with a family history of stomach ulcers.
- Those who consume alcohol regularly.
- People with liver, kidney, or lung diseases.
- Individuals over the age of 50.
Quick Pain Relief Tips for Those with Stomach Ulcers
Book a doctor's appointment. In most cases, stomach ulcers can heal on their own. However, for severe cases, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Endoscopy is a procedure where a small, illuminated tube is inserted through your esophagus, and only a doctor is qualified to perform it. While waiting for your appointment, try applying some quick pain-relief methods listed below.
Take acid-blocking medications. The cause of stomach ulcers is an imbalance in digestive fluids in the stomach and duodenum. As a result, doctors may recommend acid-blocking medications if ulcer symptoms worsen.
Adjust certain habits. Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking NSAIDs. Smoking and alcohol can disrupt the balance of digestive fluids, while high doses of NSAIDs can worsen this imbalance. Eliminate these three harmful habits while awaiting your doctor's diagnosis.
Follow a balanced, healthy diet. Eating more often or focusing on specific food groups, such as dairy products, may provide temporary relief but will eventually increase stomach acid production. Instead, focus on a balanced, healthy diet rich in protein, unsaturated fats, and complex carbohydrates. Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your meals, choose whole grains whenever possible, and opt for lean proteins.
- Avoid foods that cause discomfort. For many, this includes coffee, caffeinated drinks, greasy foods, chocolate, and spicy foods.
- Try to eat at regular intervals and avoid late-night snacking.
Avoid drinking milk. While milk may temporarily soothe a stomach ulcer, it's like taking one step forward but two steps back in the healing process. Milk can coat your stomach for a while but also stimulates more stomach acid production, which worsens the ulcer over time.
Advice
- A significant proportion of stomach ulcers are not directly caused by stress or diet but by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is not a virus. The Nobel Prize was awarded to Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for this discovery.
- Another common cause of stomach ulcers is when the body's mucosal linings are thin and overly sensitive, making them prone to rupturing. This rupture exposes the stomach lining to acids that the mucosal layer would normally protect against. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can sometimes thin the mucosal layer further. Aspirin, NSAIDs, and certain blood thinners are among the substances that erode the mucosal lining.
- Before the discovery of the link between H. pylori bacteria and stomach ulcers, doctors advised patients to manage ulcer inflammation through a proper diet and lifestyle changes. While most stomach ulcers are caused by bacteria, an unhealthy lifestyle and diet can worsen the condition. Regular stress management through prayer, yoga, meditation, exercise, and a balanced, healthy diet with low fats and spices can help manage ulcer symptoms.
Warning
- The following factors may increase your risk of stomach ulcers: drinking alcohol, smoking, using aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs, excessive stress, and radiation therapy. All of these factors are considered capable of eroding the body's mucosal layers, including the stomach lining.
- If left untreated, ulcers can erode the stomach and small intestine walls, leading to internal bleeding, perforation, or digestive system blockage.
