
Ulcers that are found on the inner lining of your stomach are termed as gastric ulcers. Often, they’re broadly categorized as peptic ulcers. Read this HealthHearty article for more information.
One of the most common symptoms of gastric ulcers is the occurrence of sharp pain in your abdominal area, lasting for couple of minutes to hours. There have been instances where severe cases of such ulcers were reported without experiencing any obvious signs or symptoms. These ulcers are often confused with esophageal (developed in the esophagus) and duodenal ulcers (developed in the upper portion of your small intestine – duodenum) before any diagnosis.
Causes
Previously the causes of these ulcers were said to be lifestyle factors. But latest research has proved that stomach acids, namely hydrochloric acid and pepsin contribute to the formation of gastric ulcers. Acid and stomach juices burn the lining of the digestive tract. This happens when the stomach produces more-than-normal amount of acid, which in turn burns the digestive tract.
Bacterial infections and excessive use of anti-inflammatory medicines are also one of the causes that damage the inner lining of your stomach.
Symptoms
Indigestion and heartburn in the middle portion of the upper abdomen is a possible symptom. Due to this, a person may burp, belch or hiccup very frequently. However, this symptom is often confused with gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Nausea, accompanied by loss of appetite is another symptom.
A lot of people suffer from burning or gnawing pain in the abdomen. The pain is often observed beneath the rib cage on the left side of the body and can eventually spread to the back. Often, this pain can be similar to hunger pangs. People suffering from a possible ulceration feel better after eating food. Hence, they try to eat often which leads to weight gain. On the other hand, there are some people who suffer from stomach ulcer pain for about two to three hours after their meals or at night on an empty stomach.
Other symptoms of a stomach ulcer include headache, dizziness, and/or fatigue. In certain severe cases, there may be a scar tissue obstructing the passage of food in the digestive tract. Due to this, he may vomit frequently or may feel full even after eating small amounts of food.
A person is said to be suffering from bleeding stomach ulcer, when he vomits blood or passes stools that is tar-black in color or containing dark red blood.
Treatment
The treatment depends on severity of the symptoms. Antacids may be taken to treat the condition, however they provide only temporary relief.
- Consumption of cold milk and ice creams alleviate the pain.
- If the ulcer is caused by bacteria, then consult your physician who will prescribe antibiotics for its treatment.
- Keeping irritants like alcohol, nicotine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. at bay is usually recommended.
- Following gastric ulcer diet will help in relieving you from the pain faster.
- One of the common remedies includes taking sufficient amount of rest.
It is important to note that such ulcers often have a tendency to relapse. Therefore, it is important that you follows your doctor’s instructions and take all the prescribed medicines on time as directed.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.