Do Stomach Ulcers Give You Diarrhea

What Is The Treatment For Ulcers

If you have ulcer symptoms, see your doctor. Prompt treatment can prevent excessive bleeding and other complications.

Ulcers are usually diagnosed after an upper GI endoscopy . An endoscope is a long flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. The tube is inserted into your throat, then to the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. Learn how to prepare for an endoscopy here.

Generally performed as an outpatient procedure, it allows the doctor to locate and identify problems in the stomach and upper intestine.

Bleeding ulcers must be addressed quickly, and treatment can start during the initial endoscopy. If bleeding from ulcers is found during the endoscopy, the doctor can:

• inject medication directly
• cauterize the ulcer to stop the bleeding
• clamp off the bleeding vessel

If you have an ulcer, youll be tested for H. pylori. This can be done using a tissue sample taken during the endoscopy. It can also be accomplished with noninvasive tests such as a stool sample or breath test.

If you have the infection, antibiotics and other drugs can help fight the bacteria and ease symptoms. To be certain you get rid of it, you must finish taking the medication as directed, even if your symptoms stop.

If your ulcers are the result of taking too many NSAIDs, work with your doctor to find another medication to treat pain.

Over-the-counter antacids sometimes relieve symptoms. Ask your doctor if its okay to take antacids.

Tips For Boiling Eggs

Put the eggs in cold water, turn the heat to the minimum immediately after boiling, turn off the fire after four or five minutes, and stew the eggs with the remaining heat. The egg is cooked in this way, the egg white is tender, and the yolk is moist. So it tastes more delicious.

Sam Perera, Founder of Stethostalk, is a food safety follower and organic food lover. He has completed the PLANT-BASED NUTRITION Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. Before this, he worked for a few years in IT services. A dedicated follower of nature, he believes in healing with natural foods. In his free time, he loves Gardening, Blogging, and traveling.

Read Also: How To Heal Ulcerative Colitis With Food

What Are The Symptoms Of A Peptic Ulcer Does It Cause Pain

Ulcers do not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, a serious complication such as bleeding or a sudden, bad upper abdominal pain is the first sign of an ulcer.

The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is abdominal pain.

• The pain is usually in the upper middle part of the abdomen, above the belly button and below the breastbone.
• The ulcer pain can feel like burning, or gnawing, and it may go through to the back.
• Pain often comes several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty.
• The pain is often worse at night and early morning.
• It can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
• The ulcer pain may be relieved by food, antacids, or vomiting.

Other symptoms of peptic ulcers include the following:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight

Severe ulcers may cause bleeding in the stomach or duodenum. Bleeding is sometimes the only symptom of an ulcer. This bleeding can be fast or slow. Fast bleeding reveals itself in one of the following ways:

• Vomiting of blood or dark material that looks something like coffee grounds: This is an emergency and warrants an immediate visit to an emergency department.
• Blood in the stool or black, tarry, sticky-looking stools

Slow bleeding is often more difficult to detect, because it has no dramatic symptoms.

• The usual result is low blood cell count .
• The symptoms of anemia are tiredness , lack of energy , weakness, rapid heartbeat , and pale skin .

Read Also: What Stomach Issues Cause Bad Breath

Will Surgery Cure A Peptic Ulcer

Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person canât take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.

Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:

• Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
• Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach . This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
• Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
• Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.

What Are The Possible Complications

An untreated ulcer that swells or scars can block your digestive tract. It can also perforate your stomach or small intestine, infecting your abdominal cavity. That causes a condition known as peritonitis.

A bleeding ulcer can lead to anemia, bloody vomit, or bloody stools. A bleeding ulcer usually results in a hospital stay. Severe internal bleeding is life-threatening. Perforation or serious bleeding may require surgical intervention.

Read Also: What To Do When Your Stomach Feels Acidic

How Common Are Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers are very common in Western countries. In the United States, there are about 4 million cases per year. Some estimates say that 1 in 10 people will have one at some point in their lives. Thats because many of the causes that contribute to stomach ulcers are common in Western life. Fortunately, these causes are usually easy to trace and to reverse, giving ulcers a chance to heal and your stomach lining a chance to repair.

Living With Peptic Ulcer Disease

Most ulcers heal within about 8 weeks. Peptic ulcers come and go. You have to do what you can to reduce your risk. If you smoke or chew tobacco, ask your doctor about how to quit. Eat a well-balanced diet. Avoid foods that cause discomfort. These include alcohol, coffee, caffeinated soda, fatty foods, chocolate, and spicy foods. Avoid eating late at night. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to NSAIDs. Take all medicines with plenty of water.

Dont Miss: How To Lose Weight And Tone Stomach

Also Check: How To Lose Stomach Fat After Baby

Does Stomach Ulcer Cause Nausea Gas Back Pain Headache

In most cases of stomach ulcer, abdominal pain is the most common symptom. However, not all patients experience the pain in the early stages of the disease. The pain may flare up with other symptoms and discomforts. How about nausea, headache, gas , and back pain? Does the disease also cause these symptoms? If so, how and why?

What are the common symptoms?

After abdominal pain many patients report that they also experience bloating, nausea & vomiting, and heartburn .

And in severe cases, the disease may cause the following problems :

The link between stomach ulcer and nausea

Its normal for you to feel nausea at some time in life, such as when getting mild fever or other mild illnesses. But nausea may signal problems affecting your digestive system spastic colon and stomach ulcer.

Ulcer of the stomach or upper part of small intestine is characterized by the inflammation or open sore that occurs in the lining of stomach or duodenum. This inflammation can affect the mechanisms in digestive system, which may result in nausea.

Nausea and vomiting without the presence of other stomach ulcer symptoms are less likely associated with stomach ulcers. For accurate diagnosis, see a doctor!

Does the disease cause gas ?

How about headache?

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bleeding Ulcer

Bleeding ulcers dont always cause pain. Sometimes the first signs of a bleeding ulcer are signs of anemia. These include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

You might have a heavier bleed if you notice:

• Blood in your poop, or black poop that resembles tar.
• Bloody vomit.

These symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Recommended Reading: What Helps Your Stomach Stop Hurting

How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated

Treatment will depend on what caused the ulcer.

Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the amount of acid in their stomach.

Youll also need antibiotics if your ulcers were caused by a H. pylori infection.

Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.

What Is The Treatment For Gastritis

Gastritis treatment will depend on the cause of the condition. If it was caused by anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol, it can be relieved by stopping use of the substance. If medication is required to treat the condition, you may be prescribed antibiotics to kill H. pylori bacteria. You may also need an acid blocker to reduce acid production, proton pump inhibitors to promote healing, antacids to neutralize stomach acid, or a combination of these medications.

Recommended Reading: What Foods Are Good For Your Stomach And Digestive System

What Causes Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers form when digestive juices damage the walls of the stomach or small intestine. If the mucus layer gets too thin or your stomach makes too much acid, your gut will feel it. The two major causes are:

• Bacteria. Itâs called Helicobacter pylori , and as many as half of us carry it. Most people infected with H. pylori do not get ulcers. But in others, it can raise the amount of acid, break down the protective mucus layer, and irritate the digestive tract. Experts arenât sure how H. pylori infection spreads. They think it may pass from person to person through close contact, like kissing. You may also get it from unclean food and water.
• Certain pain relievers. If youâve been taking aspirin often and for a long time, youâre more likely to get a peptic ulcer. The same is true for other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They include ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs block your body from making a chemical that helps protect the inner walls of your stomach and small intestine from stomach acid. Other types of pain meds, such as acetaminophen, wonât lead to peptic ulcers.
• Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol also can make you more likely to get ulcers. Stress and eating a lot of spicy food donât cause ulcers, as experts once thought. But they can make ulcers worse and harder to treat.

Signs You May Have An Ulcer

Did you know that stomach ulcers also called peptic ulcers affect at least 1 in 10 Americans over the course of their lives? And while stomach ulcers can be treated easily when caught early, lack of medical care can lead to serious complications.

Understanding the signs of stomach ulcers is important in helping you get the treatment you need. At Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our care team has the experience and knowledge to diagnose and treat stomach ulcers. Weve curated this guide to help you recognize the warning signs of an ulcer and understand what you can do about it.

Also Check: How To Smooth Stomach Skin

What Does A Stomach Ulcer Feel Like

Stomach ulcer pain usually begins in the upper-middle parts of the abdomen, above the belly button, and below the breastbone. Heartburn covers a broader area and tends to be higher in the chest. The pain is often very similar to heartburn and may feel like burning or gnawing that may go through to the back. The onset of the pain may occur several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty.

You could have heartburn and ulcer pain at the same time. Pain may vary from a few minutes to several hours. Usually, people complain that their heartburn is worse at night. It can be relieved with foods, antacids, or even vomiting. If you suspect you have a stomach ulcer, seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent any complications. These symptoms could only worsen with time if your ulcer goes untreated. Getting these symptoms diagnosed by a trained gastroenterologist for timely treatment is crucial for your overall health.

Burning Pain In The Abdomen

Persistent burning pain in the abdomen is one of the first signs of a stomach ulcer. The sensation of pain occurs when juices in the stomach, which help in digestion, come into contact with an open sore in the stomach lining.

In most cases, the pain is felt from the breast bone to the navel, and it often worsens during the night. If you skip meals, particularly breakfast, you may also experience this burning sensation in the stomach during the daytime.

If the dull and burning ache of the ulcer often turns into a sharp, stabbing pain, it is a sign that your ulcer is acting up and you need medical help. It could mean that the ulcer has caused a more critical problem like a perforation in the wall of your stomach or intestine, or a blockage in your digestive tract, and it is triggering intense pain.

Also Check: How To Remove Stomach Pain

Other Causes Of Peptic Ulcers

• Genetics: A significant number of individuals with peptic ulcers have close relatives with the same problem, suggesting that genetic factors may be involved.
• Smoking: People who regularly smoke tobacco are more likely to develop peptic ulcers when compared with non-smokers.
• Alcohol consumption: Regular heavy drinkers of alcohol have a higher risk of developing peptic ulcers.
• Corticosteroid use: People on large or chronic doses of corticosteroids are also at greater risk.
• Mental stress: This stress has not been linked to the development of new peptic ulcers, but symptoms appear to be more severe in people with ulcers who are experiencing ongoing mental stress.

A patientâs description of symptoms will normally cause a doctor to suspect a peptic ulcer.

Tests that can confirm a diagnosis include:

• a blood test to check for H. pylori, though a positive test does not always mean there is an active infection
• a breath test, using a radioactive carbon atom to detect H. pylori
• a stool antigen test to detect H. pylori in the feces
• an upper gastrointestinal X-ray to identify ulcers

An endoscopy may also be used. This involves a long, narrow tube with a camera attached to the end is threaded down the patientâs throat and into the stomach and duodenum. This is the best diagnostic test.

How Are Ulcers Treated

Treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers depends on the causes and how severe your symptoms are. For example, your doctor may prescribe histamine receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce the amount of acid and protect your stomach lining.

For H. pylori infections, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics, PPIs, and other medications to fight the bacteria and promote healing. These medications include mucosal protective agents, which help protect your stomachs mucus lining.

If NSAIDs caused the peptic ulcer, youll often be advised on how to reduce or eliminate your use.

If the ulcer is actively bleeding, your doctor can use special tools to stop the bleeding through an endoscope during the EGD procedure.

In cases that medication or endoscopic therapy doesnt work, your doctor may recommend surgery. If the ulcer becomes deep enough to cause a hole through the wall of your stomach or duodenum, this is a medical emergency and surgery is most often required to fix the problem.

An untreated gastric or duodenal ulcer can develop into a serious problem, especially if you have certain existing medical conditions.

The most common complications of ulcers are:

You may not be able to completely remove your risk for developing an ulcer, but there are things you can do to lower your risk and prevent them:

Don’t Miss: How To Slim Stomach In Photoshop

Common Symptoms Of Equine Ulcers

On many occasions, the symptoms of ulcers may be subtle in horses. Some horses will display more symptoms than others. A horse that can appear completely healthy may even be suffering from gastric ulcers.

There are several symptoms in horses that may be a sign of ulcers. Some of the top symptoms include poor appetite, poor coat, change in attitude, reluctance to preform, change in performance, weight loss, and loose stool. Some horses may lay done more frequently, appear dull, and even have mild colic.

In more serious cases, the horse may colic regularly and even suffer from more severe cases of colic. Horses may even frequently grind their teeth. They may lay done even more often, even laying on their backs.

Ulcers can also commonly occur in foals. They may colic on an intermittent basis or be seen frequently laying down. They may have intermittent nursing, as the ulcers are causing discomfort.

In more severe cases, foals may display diarrhea, weak appetite, teeth grinding, and excessive salivation. In these situations, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

You May Like: Can I Eat Peanut Butter With Gerd

Burning Pain In Your Abdomen

This may seem like a no-brainer but the most common sign that people experience when they have a stomach ulcer is a persistent burning pain in their abdomen. This sensation occurs when juices in the stomach used for digestion come into contact with the open sore. For the most part, the pain is felt from the breastbone to navel and is often worse at night than during the day. On the other hand, if you are someone who frequently skips meals, you may find that you experience this pain much throughout the daytime.

Recommended Reading: What Causes My Stomach To Bloat And Hurt