Are you familiar with a stomach ulcer? Do you know what it means? Do you know what is an ulcer? Well, an ulcer is an open sore outside or inside of a body. But, what is a stomach ulcer? Let’s discuss together.
What is Stomach Ulcer?
A stomach ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer marked by open sores growing on the inner lining of the stomach and upper parts of the small intestine. Stomach ulcers are also defined as gastric ulcers and sometimes, called peptic ulcers. So, how do you get stomach ulcers? Well, it starts to form when a thick layer of mucus is decreased.
The thick layer of mucus is what keeps your stomach protected from digestive juices. When the mucus begins to be thin, the digestive acids can make their way to the stomach lining, which eventually causes an ulcer.
Causes of Stomach Ulcer:
The stomach ulcer can also be caused due to an infection by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. A stomach ulcer can also occur if you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for an extended time.
Such drugs may include Aspirin, Ibuprofen as well as Naproxen.
On rare cases, a condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can also potentially cause stomach ulcer as it increases acid production inside the body.
Other causes of stomach ulcers are smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, radiation therapy as well as stomach cancer.
Symptoms of Stomach ulcer:
If you want to know how severe your stomach ulcer is, you should take notice of your symptoms. Symptoms of this disease are pretty painful. One of the common symptoms of a stomach ulcer is a burning sensation and pain the abdomen.
Some other painful symptoms of this ulcer are extremely bloated tummy, heartburn, nausea, strange vomiting, constipation, change in appetite as well as chest pain.
Additional symptoms of stomach ulcer do not want to eat anything, burping or acid reflux, anemia, dark and strange colored stools, and vomit that may include blood.
However, not all symptoms of stomach ulcer are painful.
Treating Stomach Ulcer:
Depending on how severe your stomach ulcer is, your doctor will advise you the right treatment options.
Available treatment methods for stomach ulcers are H2 receptor blocker drugs, endoscopy, probiotics, and Bismuth supplements. These methods do not require surgery.
Surgery is another option. However, a healthy lifestyle also aids in the recovery process of stomach ulcer.
Although there is a cure, stomach ulcers can also be life-threatening if proper care is not taken.
After treatment, a lot of stomach ulcers usually heal within a month.
RECAP:
- A stomach ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer marked by open sores growing on the inner lining of the stomach and upper parts of the small intestine.
- The stomach ulcer can also be caused due to an infection by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. A stomach ulcer can also occur if you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for an extended time.
- Symptoms of this disease are pretty painful. One of the common symptoms of a stomach ulcer is a burning sensation and pain the abdomen.
- Depending on how severe your stomach ulcer is, your doctor will advise you the right treatment options.
