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What is a Stomach Ulcer?
Stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer) are sores that develop in the protective stomach lining. This type of peptic ulcer disease affects both the small intestines and stomach. Stomach ulcers occur when the thick protective mucus that protects the stomach becomes ineffective or reduced.
The stomach produces a strong acid that helps in food digestion and protects against microbes. To ensure the body tissues are well guarded against the strong acid, the stomach also secretes the thick protective mucous layer. When the protective mucus layer is reduced, the strong digestive acids eat away the tissues that line the stomach, causing a painful ulcer.
Stomach ulcers are preventable and simple to cure but they can cause severe problems if not treated well or left untreated.
What are the Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers?
The main symptom of a stomach ulcer is pain around the stomach, or slightly higher. This pain becomes more intense when your stomach is empty and lasts for minutes or hours. The other sign of a stomach ulcer is indigestion that causes discomfort in the stomach area. Indigestion can be mistaken for heartburn, which can occur simultaneously.
Heartburn can either be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux, and it is felt in the lower part of the chest. An ulcer produces a burning pain which many individuals describe as a “gnawing” or “biting” pain.
The other common signs of a stomach ulcer include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dull and severe pain in the stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Bloating
- Pain that improves when you eat certain foods, drink, or take antacids
- Having a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn)
- Acid reflux
- Anemia
- Dark, tarry stools.
The symptoms of a stomach ulcer change over time, and they can be difficult to notice. If you have symptoms of a stomach ulcer, it is good to talk with your doctor. Even though you may feel like the pain or discomfort is mild, ulcers can worsen and become life-threatening when not treated.
What are the Causes of Stomach Ulcers?
Stomach ulcers always occur when the protective stomach lining breaks down, exposing tissues to the digestive acid. The main causes of stomach ulcers are:
- H. pylori bacteria
- Excessive use or long-term use of pain-relieving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.
There are other less common causes of stomach ulcers, including:
- Excess acidity or hyperacidity caused by smoking, genetics, stress, and certain foods
- Having a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome that increases the production of acid in the body. Of all peptic ulcer cases, this syndrome causes less than 1%.
How are Stomach Ulcers Diagnosed?
The treatment and diagnosis of ulcers depends on the symptoms and the severity of the ulcer. To easily diagnose a stomach ulcer, the doctor will ask you about the symptoms, how the pain feels, where and when it happens, and how long you feel the pain. Besides, your doctor will check your medical history and any over-the-counter medications you are taking.
This will help the doctor know whether you have a stomach ulcer or not. A stool or breathe test can be done to determine whether the ulcer is from H. pylori bacteria. If you have serious symptoms such as bleeding, your doctor will do the following tests and procedures:
Endoscopic Biopsy: In this procedure, a small piece of stomach tissue is removed to be analyzed keenly in the lab. This procedure is pain-free.
Endoscopy: In the procedure, a light tube is inserted through your mouth and into the stomach. The tube has a HD camera that looks for bleeding, ulcers, and tissues looking abnormal.
Barium swallow: You drink a thick liquid that enables X-rays of the gut to be taken. This liquid coats the upper gastrointestinal tract, so the doctor sees the small intestine and stomach on X-rays.
How are Stomach Ulcers Treated?
The treatment of stomach ulcers will depend on the cause. Ulcers can be treated with prescriptions. In some rare cases, surgery will be needed. If your stomach ulcer is being caused by H. pylori, you will require proton pump inhibitors. Proton inhibitors block the stomach cells that produce acid. Other than proton pump inhibitors, your doctor can recommend:
- The stop in using all NSAIDs
- H2 receptor blockers that prevent acid production
- Follow-up endoscopy
- Using probiotics that kill off H. pylori
With proper treatment, the symptoms of an ulcer subside quickly. However, you should continue taking the prescribed medications to make sure all bacteria are eliminated. Avoid taking any trigger foods, drinking alcohol, and smoking tobacco.
While on your medications, it is normal to experience some temporary side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
In some cases, surgery will be needed if the ulcer returns after taking medications, bleeding, or if food is not leaving the stomach. Surgery can be done to:
- Remove the ulcer
- Sew tissues from another site to the ulcer
- Tying off bleeding blood vessels
- Cutting the nerve that controls acid production in the stomach
Last, watching what you eat is one of the easiest ways to prevent or treat stomach ulcers. Always eat a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and fiber. Some foods play a bigger role in eliminating H. pylori. These foods include:
- Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach
- Apples
- Olive oil
- Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries
- Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes
- Eating probiotic rich foods, such as miso, yogurt, kombucha, or sauerkraut
While your ulcer is healing, it is good to stay away from sour and spicy foods that trigger the ulcer again.
What factors Increase your Risk of Stomach Ulcers?
There are many behaviors and factors that highly increase your risk of developing a stomach ulcer. The factors include:
- Smoking
- Frequent alcohol consumption
- Frequent use of steroids
- Overproduction of calcium (hypercalcemia)
- Genetics