Stomach Ulcers: Causes, Signs, Treatment, Diet, And More

What is Stomach Ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are a condition in which wounds and sourness occur in the lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine, causing pain.

If ulcers occur in the intestine then it is called Peptic ulcers, this word comes from pepsin (an enzyme in our stomach).

If ulcers occur first part of the small intestine then it is called ” duodenal ulcers.“

NOTE: It is also known as gastric ulcers, which are more common in people 60 or over. and men are more affected than women (1).

Reasons for stomach ulcers

When the stomach lining is damaged or reduced, then acid gets a chance to eat our stomach lining, causing an ulcer or pain.

Here are other main reasons for stomach ulcers including:

Bacteria – A bacteria called (H-pylori), type is gram-negative, it breaks down the protective mucus lining, and allows acid to eat the stomach lining.

These bacteria can enter through food, and water into your stomach, where it’s multiple, and do their work.

Certain pain relievers – If you regularly use pain delivers medicines such as aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Which slows down or blocks mucus secretion, which causes ulcer disease.

Some other factors that can trigger ulcers worse

Here is some factors that can make your ulcer worse, so avoid these are:

Smoking – Cigarettes contain many toxic chemicals, that enter our blood through the lungs, which disbalances hormonal balance.

Drinking alcohol – alcohol contains acid, which increases the acidic environment more acidic, which causes pain.

Stress – It is one of the main reasons that trigger ulcers more.

Spicy food – Eating a lot of spicy food may not cause ulcers, but it definitely can make ulcers worse and harder to treat.

Signs and symptoms

Burning pain is the most common symptom of it (2), but many people with peptic ulcers don’t even have symptoms (3).

Here are the most commonly seen symptoms of stomach ulcer

• Pain may occur middle of your abdomen and between your chest and belly button. 
• Heartburn
• Buring sensation
• Nausea/vomitting
• Appetite changes
• Weight loss

The pain may stop for a while you eat something but it may come back.

In severe cases of stomach ulcers such as:

• blood in vomitting
• Blood in stool

Talk to your doctor if you face any type of stomach discomfort because it might be some other health condition.

If it is not treated then it will not take much time for the condition to worsen, and bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening (4).

However, some people may experience painless other symptoms such as:

1. Acid reflex,
2. Heartburn
3. Indigestion
4. Feeling sick

Pain in the stomach is the most commonly seen sign of an ulcer, but pain can happen due to other health conditions:

• Indigestion problem – such as constipation, and gas
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Periods cramps
• food poisoning or food allergy
• gallstones
• kidney stones
• stomach flu
• hernia
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

NOTE: If pain occurs suddenly after eating, then it may be gastric ulcer pain.

NOTE: If it comes after 3 to 4 hours of eating food, then there may be a duodenal ulcer.

Therefore, the pain of this can come between 2 to 4 pm.

How doctor diagnose it?

To diagnose doctor will review your medical history, symptoms, and any medicines that you have taken.

Moreover, performing tests such as endoscopy or an x-ray, and a barium swallow.

Endoscopy – In this, a thin camera-lighted tube is inserted inside your stomach, helping in finding the exact cause of the ulcer.

Barium swallow – In this swallowing a bright white substance called barium, coats your upper digestive tract, and then an X-ray shows the coated area clearly.

Treatment of Ulcer

Stomach ulcer treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer.

Therefore, diagnose it as soon as possible and start its treatment.

A doctor can give you certain medicines to heal ulcers and prevent an acidic environment, which helps the stomach lining heal faster.

However, most ulcers are healed with (PPI) treatment, but If the ulcer is caused by medicines then the doctor may tell you to avoid it.

Most ulcers can be treated with medicines, but in rare cases surgery may be required, if ulcers become worse.

Surgery can be done in some cases when:

• Damged areas do not heal
• continue to return
• bleeding
• When food comes in the stomach but prevents it from going into the small intestine.

Food To eat and avoid

Different foods do not cause or prevent peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers), but drinking alcohol does make ulcers worse.

Here is a food list that is backed by doctor consulting.

• Food with probiotics such as yogurt, and kimchi, are rich in good bacteria.
• Oats, pears, apples, and dalia that high in fiber.
• Sweet potato, which contains vitamin A, it’s believed to it prevent ulcer formation.
• Red chill peppers, that rich in vitamin C, help in healing ulcers.
• Fruit juices also help in healing ulcers

Food to avoid

• Alcohol, which irritate and damages the stomach lining
• Fatty, fried food, it takes a longer time to digest
• Spicy food

Prevention Tips

• Avoid spicy food, acid drinks, and smoking.
• keep yourself stress-free, because stress can trigger gastronia lining.
• Also, getting enough sleep is one of the common ways to manage stress, which can also boost your immune system.
• Before eating any food eat it after washing and cooking properly.
• Follow good hygein, because bacteria can enter your body through contaminated food and water.
• Drink only fresh or running water.

Check Out – Can Drink Enough Water And Doing Exercise Prevent The Diseases?

Complications

Lift untreated or staying with an ulcer for a long time put you in serious complications and can be life-threatening.

Complication includes:

• Internal bleeding, which causes blood vessels destroyed, and leads to anemia.
• Blockage in the pyloric sphincter (b/w the stomach and intestine) prevents stomach liquid from moving down causing bloating.
• A hole in the stomach wall increases the risk of infection.
• Gastric cancer.

Down Line

Burning pain is the most common symptom of peptic ulcers.

If it comes after 3 to 4 hours of eating food, then there may be a duodenal ulcer. Therefore, the pain of this can come between 2 to 4 pm at night.

Most ulcers are healed with (PPI) treatment, but If the ulcer is caused by NSAIDs, then the doctor may forbid you to take it.