What Are The Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcer And Its Causes?
Peptic ulcers refer to open sores that can develop inside your stomach lining. They can also appear in the upper area of the small intestine. Stomach pain is a common symptom of a peptic ulcer. It includes gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Gastric ulcers affect the inner area of your stomach while duodenal ulcers affect the inner area of your small intestine located at the upper portion. A bacterium infection is a common cause that leads to the development of peptic ulcers. The name of this bacteria is H.pylori.
If you are using certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a long time like ibuprofen you are vulnerable to developing peptic ulcers. The use of naproxen sodium can also trigger peptic ulcers.
Spicy foods and stress are not involved in causing peptic ulcers. But they can make the symptoms of stomach problems more severe.
Symptoms
If you have the issue of peptic ulcers you may get nausea, the sensation of burning in the stomach, pain of stomach, heartburn, and feeling of fullness. People with peptic ulcers can have belching and bloating with intolerance to some fatty foods.
Burning sensation and pain in the stomach is a common symptom of peptic ulcer. Stomach acid can make this pain worse. Your symptoms can also become severe from an empty stomach. Eating certain foods can provide you temporary relief from the symptoms.
These foods work best to buffer the acid present in your stomach. You can also use some acid-reducing medications. But acid can come back even after using these medications. People feel worse pain at the time of night and between meals.
Many people have peptic ulcers but they have no symptoms. Ulcers can lead to severe symptoms sometimes like vomiting blood of black or red color and continuous vomiting. They may have vomiting, trouble breathing, feeling faintness, and nausea.
People with peptic ulcers may lose weight unexpectedly. Other severe symptoms of peptic ulcers are changes in appetite and the appearance of dark blood in the stool. See a doctor if you notice that your symptoms are getting severe.
If you notice the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor immediately to avoid getting further complications. Timely treatment helps you to manage the disease well. Your pain can still return after using acid blockers and over-the-counter antacids.
In this case, discuss it with your doctor. He may change your medications and add additional treatment options for you.
Causes
When acid present in the area of your digestive tract spreads to the inner surface of your small intestine and stomach, you may get peptic ulcers. Acid causes an open sore that becomes painful and starts bleeding. A layer of mucous covers your digestive tract.
Normally, it protects you against acid. The amount of mucus starts decreasing with the increase of acid. In this case, you become vulnerable to developing ulcers. Following are the common causes of peptic ulcers.
- A bacteria
- Using pain relievers regularly
- Certain other medications including steroids, low-dose aspirin, and anticoagulants
Risk Factors
Your risk of getting peptic ulcers is enhanced if you do the following things.
Smoking
It enhances the risk of getting peptic ulcers in people who are already infected by H.pylori. Smoking makes you vulnerable to developing other conditions related to your health. If you want to become healthy and maintain your lifestyle, quit smoking.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol erodes and irritates the lining of mucus present in your stomach. It also enhances the acid production in the stomach. Avoid eating spicy foods and taking stress. These factors can also contribute to causing ulcers. It makes your ulcer tough to heal.
Complications
Do not leave the condition untreated if you have a peptic ulcer. It can enhance the risk of getting following complications.
Internal Bleeding
Bleeding can appear as a blood loss that is very slow. It can cause anemia or even severe loss of blood. In this case, an individual may need a blood transfusion or hospitalization.
Severe loss of blood can lead to bloody and black vomiting. People with this condition can have blood in the stool.
Obstruction
Peptic ulcers sometimes block food passage through your digestive tract. You can easily feel full and vomit to lose weight. People may also get scarring and swelling in this condition.
Gastric Cancer
It is reported in different studies that if H.pylori has affected an individual, he is more vulnerable to developing gastric cancers.
