Stomach Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Stomach ulcers, a type of peptic ulcer, are painful open sores on the lining of the stomach. These sores develop when stomach acids eat away the protective lining of the stomach.

Some stomach ulcers are also accompanied by severe abdominal pain, while others have no noticeable symptoms. Understanding different symptoms and causes of ulcers is vital for accurate diagnosis. Read on to learn what is an ulcer in the stomach and how to effectively manage it.

What are Stomach Ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are also called gastric ulcers. They appear inside the stomach when acidic digestive juices destroy the mucous, a protective layer around the stomach. The thinning of mucous opens the passage for stomach acids to reach the lining of the stomach and destroy it, too.

Another type of peptic ulcer is duodenal ulcers that occur in the upper part of the small intestine.

Stress ulcers are also a type of ulcers that mostly occur in people with significant amounts of stress.

 What are the Causes of Stomach Ulcers?

Damage to the protective layer of the stomach by acidic juices is caused by:

1. An infection with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Everyone has this bacterium in their stomach, but if it overgrows, disrupting the natural balance of microbes in the body, it causes ulcers.
2. Taking Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), a class of medicines that reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and lower fever. NSAIDs include medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac, celecoxib, and naproxen.
3. Some health conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and Crohn’s disease can also cause stomach ulcers.
4. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
5. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
6. Viral infections in the body.

The causes of duodenal ulcers are also the same as that of gastric ulcers.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

Various symptoms are associated with the presence of stomach ulcers in the body. These include:

1. Burning sensation or pain in the middle of the abdomen
2. Heartburn and indigestion
3. Unintentional weight loss
4. Always feeling bloated and full with no desire to eat
5. Dark and tarry stools due to the presence of blood from bleeding ulcers
6. Bloody vomit that resembles coffee grounds
7. Nausea and dizziness

Symptoms of an ulcer in a woman further include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

These are also the same symptoms of an ulcer from stress and a duodenal ulcer.

 How are Stomach Ulcers Diagnosed?

To diagnose ulcers in the stomach, a consultation with a doctor is required. The doctor will analyse the medical history and symptoms of the patients and check for any medications they may be taking.

They may prescribe a blood, stool, or breath test to verify the presence of H. pylori. The doctor may also prescribe an endoscopy test to directly look at the ulcers in the stomach.

Complications of Stomach Ulcers

It is essential to treat stomach ulcers as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, it may lead to:

1. Bleeding ulcers that can cause hemorrhage-like conditions.
2. Penetration, when an ulcer crosses the wall of the digestive tract and goes into another organ.
3. Perforation, when a single or multiple stomach ulcers create a hole in the digestive tract.
4. Obstruction, where ulcers block the digestive tract and hinder the body’s digestive functions.

Prevention of Stomach Ulcers 

There are several methods that lead to the prevention of ulcers in the stomach, such as:

1. Minimising the intake of OTC or NSAIDs
2. Avoiding contaminated food and water
3. Washing hands regularly
4. Properly cooking and storing foods, especially in the case of meat and seafood
5. Taking antibiotics and acid-blocking medicines recommended by a doctor

Diet for Stomach Ulcers

A stomach ulcer diet includes foods that can limit the growth of H. pylori, such as foods rich in antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin B. These foods can boost immunity and can also protect against stomach cancer. These foods include berries, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, spinach, as well as probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt and kombucha.

Understanding various signs and symptoms of an ulcer is essential for taking preventive care measures such as lowering intake of NSAIDs, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking for a healthy stomach and a better quality of life.

If one notices symptoms of stomach ulcers, they should immediately consult their healthcare provider and book a test for stomach ulcer with Dr Lal PathLabs for proper diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs 

1. What are some early warning signs of a stomach ulcer?

Some signs that may indicate the presence of stomach ulcers include:

1. Growing pain in the upper abdomen
2. Feeling bloated and full
3. Heartburn and indigestion
4. Unintentional weight loss

2. What causes 90% of stomach ulcers?

Most stomach ulcers are caused by the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. They can also be caused by a high intake of NSAIDs.