What is a Stomach Ulcer and How Is It Treated?

A stomach ulcer occurs when a small area of the stomach's inner surface is damaged by stomach acid. This damage results in a shallow hole in the stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are like little sores on the inside of your tummy or the tubes connected to it. They develop when the stomach's protective mucus becomes ineffective. This can lead to damage from stomach acid, causing discomfort, stomach cramps, and other symptoms like pain and indigestion.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

Several symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers, the severity of which is dependent on the ulcer's severity. The most common symptom is a burning or aching sensation in the middle of the abdomen between the chest and the belly button. These are also symptoms of chronic stomach ulcers when persistent.

The pain is usually most severe when the stomach is empty and can last from a few minutes to several hours.

Dull pain in the stomach
Stomach cramps
Weight Loss
Not wanting to eat out of pain
Nausea or vomiting
Swelling
Feeling full easily
Belching or acid reflux
Heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest
Pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
Anaemia, the symptoms of which may include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
Dark, tarry stools
Vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Ulcers in the stomach tend to show slightly different symptoms and signs than in the small intestine:

Stomach ulcers tend to show fewer clear symptoms, and the pain is less constant. Sometimes, the pain worsens after eating food.
Small bowel ulcers are more likely to be in constant pain. The pain can wake many up in the middle of the night, but it doesn't appear first thing in the morning. When the pain appears later in the day, eating food tends to reduce it.

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Causes of Stomach Ulcers

What causes stomach ulcers? Stomach ulcers can be caused by several things, including the following:

Helicobacter pylori Bacterium: This germ is a major source of stomach ulcers, responsible for about 60% of stomach ulcers and at least 90% of duodenal ulcers.
Certain Medications: Drugs like aspirin, clopidogrel (used for heart health), and arthritis medications can increase the risk of ulcers. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause about two-fifths of stomach ulcers.
Stomach Cancer: Sometimes, especially in older people, stomach cancer can look like an ulcer.

Other causes of stomach cramps such as food intolerances, infections, or irritable bowel syndrome can sometimes mimic ulcer symptoms, making proper diagnosis essential.

Diagnosis of Stomach Ulcers

Doctors follow the symptoms of a stomach ulcer by asking questions about what the pain feels like, where and when it occurs, and how frequent and long it has been. This process helps examine whether or not a stomach ulcer developed. Your doctor may also order a stool or breath test to determine whether the stomach ulcer is caused by H. pylori bacteria.

If there are more serious symptoms, such as bleeding, your doctor may require more tests, which may include:

Endoscopy: A camera is inserted into the end of a long, thin, flexible tube to view the lining of the intestine. A biopsy can also be taken.
Barium Enema: This is a thick liquid that allows X-rays of the intestine to be taken. If there are more serious symptoms, such as bleeding, doctors may order more tests.

Stomach Ulcer Pain Location

Stomach ulcer pain is typically felt in the upper middle part of the abdomen, just below the breastbone and above the belly button. This area, known as the epigastric region, is where the stomach lies, making it the most common site for ulcer-related discomfort. The pain may feel like a burning, gnawing, or dull ache and often worsens on an empty stomach, between meals, or during the night. In some cases, eating may temporarily relieve the pain, only for it to return hours later.

It's important to note that the location and intensity of pain can vary. For instance, if the ulcer is located in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), the pain might be more to the right side of the upper abdomen. Occasionally, pain may radiate to the back or chest, which can be mistaken for other conditions like heartburn or even cardiac issues.

Persistent or severe abdominal pain should never be ignored, as untreated stomach ulcers can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, perforation, or infection. If you're experiencing ongoing discomfort in this area, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treatments for Stomach Ulcers

It is now known that special diets have very little impact on preventing or treating stomach ulcers. Symptoms and treatment of gastric ulcers can vary depending on the cause and severity, but common treatment options include:

Medications, including antibiotics, are used to destroy the H. pylori colony and to help speed up the healing process. Different drugs must be used in combination; some of the side effects can include diarrhoea and skin rashes. Resistance to some of these antibiotics is becoming more common.
Subsequent breath tests are used to make sure the H. pylori infection has been successfully treated.
Changes to existing medications: The doses of arthritis medications, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medications may be slightly modified to reduce the effects that contribute.
Reduce acid tablets are available to reduce the acid content in gastric juices.
Lifestyle modifications include quitting smoking, as smoking lowers the stomach's natural defences and impairs the healing process.

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Conclusion

Anyone who thinks they may have an ulcer in their stomach should consult their doctor. Any stomach symptoms that last for more than a few days or keep happening need evaluation and treatment.

It is not common, but it is especially important to get medical attention if there is an ulcer complication. A slow-bleeding ulcer can be signaled by feeling anaemic, such as being tired and breathless. More serious bleeding is an urgent medical problem and can be signaled if blood is vomited or stools are black and sticky.

Perforation, a hole in the stomach, is also an emergency. Without quick treatment, the stomach wall can become infected. Sudden belly pain that gets worse can signal perforation, and any signs of being very unwell with infection need treatment as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a stomach ulcer can usually be cured permanently with the right treatment. This includes antibiotics to eliminateH. pyloribacteria and acid-suppressing medications. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent it from returning.

While stress and spicy food can worsen symptoms, they are not direct causes. The main causes areH. pyloriand NSAID use.

While not usually life-threatening, untreated ulcers can cause serious issues like bleeding, perforation, or obstruction.

Yes, smoking can significantly worsen stomach ulcers. Nicotine increases stomach acid, reduces the production of protective mucus, and impairs blood flow to the stomach lining, delaying the healing process.

Bilberry and bilberry extract can also help fight H. pylori. You can drink cranberry juice, eat cranberries, or take cranberry supplements. There is no specific amount of consumption associated with relief.

An ulcer that bleeds profusely can cause black, sticky stools. Blood in the stool was dark crimson or maroon in colour vomit that was red and had the consistency of coffee grounds.

Stress ulcers develop out of nowhere, generally as a result of physical exertion. Some acidic meals, as well as physical stress, such as the stress of a major accident or infection, can aggravate ulcers. This might be because stress raises stomach acid levels.