Can Ulcers Cause Back Pain
Back pain is one among the less common symptoms of peptic ulcers. Here is a brief overview of ulcer symptoms that may include pain in the back.
Back pain is one among the less common symptoms of peptic ulcers. Here is a brief overview of ulcer symptoms that may include pain in the back.
Ulcers are very common in humans, especially middle-aged people. Peptic ulcers develop on the mucous membrane that lines the inner surfaces of the stomach and the duodenum. Esophageal ulcers form in the esophagus. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, and those in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers. While duodenal ulcers are far more common than gastric ulcers, esophageal ulcers are rare. It has been observed that alcohol abuse is a major cause for ulcers in the esophagus. Peptic ulcers are usually associated with Helicobacter pylori infection or long-term use of NSAIDs. Ulcers can cause various symptoms, and abdominal pain is the most common one. Ulcers can also cause back pain, which is a symptom that is usually associated with other medical conditions.
Peptic Ulcer Disease Vs Angina
Usually, itâs not particularly difficult for a healthcare provider to distinguish chest pain caused by peptic ulcer disease from angina caused by coronary artery disease . The characteristics of the two types of pain are usually quite different.
Peptic ulcer pain is not induced by exercise and relieved by rest . The gnawing pain accompanied by bloating and nausea is quite different from that of typical angina.
Nonetheless, because angina itself can have a noncardiac presentation, it may become important to do confirmatory tests to pin down the diagnosis.
Endoscopy is the favored method of diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, especially in people who have evidence of bleeding or have had severe symptoms.
Testing for the presence of Helicobacter pylori may also be helpful. X-rays of the upper digestive system may also be recommended.
If your healthcare provider is concerned about the possibility of CAD, a stress test may be helpful in distinguishing between these two problems.
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How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath or stool for H. pylori. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines.
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For Pulmonary Embolism And Heart Attack
Youll receive blood thinning medication and clot dissolvers for a pulmonary embolism, although your doctor may recommend surgery to remove a life-threatening clot.
Clot-busting medications are also first-line treatments for a heart attack. These medications can dissolve a clot and restore blood flow to your heart.
Healthier lifestyle choices help prevent some causes of chest and abdominal pain.
Some ways include:
- Reducing stress:Relieving some stress in your life could potentially alleviate extreme anxiety and panic disorders.
- Knowing your limits: Dont be afraid to say no and practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to control your feelings and emotions.
- Eating slower: Eating slower, eating smaller meals, and avoiding certain types of food may prevent symptoms of:
Some chest and abdominal pain can be mild and resolve within minutes or hours, either on their own or with over-the-counter medication.
Discomfort caused by certain conditions might not require a doctor, such as:
Health Tips In Hindi: Ulcer Is Such A Disease Which Is Dangerous For Us If You See Symptoms Of Ulcer Then Its Prevention Treatment Should Be Started Immediately
Know the signs of ulcer
Image Credit source: unsplash.com
Sometimes it happens that suddenly there is pain in our stomach. It starts happening, or after eating food there is a strange nervousness and it seems as if vomiting is about to happen. But have you ever noticed why all this is happening to you? Yes, if you are ignoring these signs, then they can be harmful for yourself, because all these symptoms are ulcers. may indicate. We all have heard about ulcers, so it should not be overlooked even by mistake. this problem There are lesions in the stomach or intestines, which can later become cancer. Can also take the form of ulcers, so lets know about ulcers-
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Fast Facts On Stomach Ulcers
- Stomach ulcers are common in the West and easy to treat but can become serious.
- The most common causes are bacteria and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
- The classic symptom of a stomach ulcer is indigestion.
- Treatment for stomach ulcers normally focuses on removing the cause.
The classic symptom of a stomach ulcer is indigestion, also called dyspepsia.
Indigestion causes pain or discomfort in the stomach area. This symptom can be mistaken for heartburn, which can occur at the same time.
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease may cause heartburn. It occurs slightly higher up from the stomach, and people will feel it in the lower part of the chest.
Stomach ulcer symptoms tend to be more distinct than heartburn, but symptoms can still be vague.
An ulcer also tends to produce a burning or dull pain in the center of the abdomen. People sometimes describe the pain as a biting or gnawing pain. Some individuals may describe a hungry sensation.
Individuals may also be able to relieve pain by eating, drinking, or taking antacids.
Some stomach ulcers go unnoticed and show no typical indigestion-type pains. These ulcers are less common, and doctors tend them after they have started bleeding.
Some ulcers can cause a hole in the stomach wall. Health experts call this perforation, which is a severe condition.
Stomach ulcer symptoms often change over time and can be difficult to spot.
Dietary changes can help prevent stomach ulcers from developing.
Research And New Developments
Previous research has shown that ankylosing spondylitis has a strong genetic component and were currently funding several research projects to further understand this. Previously, we part funded research that identified a specific gene, called IL23R, thats linked to the condition. Were now funding a follow-on project to investigate how changes in this gene lead to the development of ankylosing spondylitis.
Were also supporting a study thats investigating a gene called RUNX3. Researchers are investigating whether this molecule can be targeted with drugs. Results from this research may lead to the development of new and more effective drug treatments.
Were funding a project investigating the protein HLA-B27. This protein is found in over 90% of people with ankylosing spondylitis. Its thought that HLA-B27 proteins tend to fold incorrectly inside cells, which may lead to the immune system releasing chemicals that cause inflammation. This research aims to generate HLA-B27 specific treatments that overcome the problems associated with current treatment options.
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How Common Is Back Pain With Duodenal Ulcers
Back pain is common with a duodenal ulcer. Approximately one-third of painful duodenal ulcers will radiate to the back. In addition, back pain is often associated with epigastric pain. Isolated back pain without epigastric pain is rare.
According to Yamadas Textbook of Gastroenterology, Back pain is seen in:
- Up to 31% of patients with duodenal ulcers.
- Up to 34% of patients with stomach ulcers.
Back pain can occur in both gastric and duodenal ulcers. So, it is not a helpful differentiator between the two types of ulcers.
The most common duodenal ulcer pain is in the epigastric area . Other less common locations include the left and right upper abdominal areas.
| Associated heartburn | 27-59% |
What Is Abdominal And Back Pain
The combination of abdominal and back pain usually starts with pain in the abdomen. The pain then gradually or rapidly spreads to the back. The most likely cause of such pain is often not difficult to diagnose if the nature, timing, severity, character, as well as the pattern and direction of spread is well noted.
Common causes of pain in the abdomen and back include menstrual pain, pain from ovarian cyst, gall bladder diseases, gallstones, prostatitis, endometriosis and leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Are you suffering with abdominal and back pain? Abdominal orstomach pain that spreads through to the back could be a sign of a condition like stomach ulcer, pancreatitis or even cystitis, depending on the exact spot from where the pain starts.
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Nsaids And Stomach Ulcers
NSAIDs carry a risk of stomach ulcers. The two most popular NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.
The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses or regularly for a long time.
Stronger NSAIDs, such as those available on prescription, carry a greater risk of stomach ulcers than those that people can buy over the counter.
A person should always check labels and consult a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns regarding using pain relief medication. They may recommend an alternative, such as acetaminophen.
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.
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What Foods Soothe A Peptic Ulcer
High-fiber foods and those high in vitamin A may help soothe a persons stomach. Some examples include oats, barley, apples, and sweet potatoes.
7 sourcescollapsed
- Levenstein, S., et al. . Psychological stress increases risk for peptic ulcer, regardless of Helicobacter pylori infection or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
How Do Nsaids Cause A Peptic Ulcer
To understand how NSAIDs cause peptic ulcer disease, it is important to understand how NSAIDs work. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, or swelling.
Everyone has two enzymes that produce chemicals in your bodys cells that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. NSAIDs work by blocking or reducing the amount of these enzymes that your body makes. However, one of the enzymes also produces another type of chemical that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid and helps control bleeding. When NSAIDs block or reduce the amount of this enzyme in your body, they also increase your chance of developing a peptic ulcer.
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You Bleed When You Use The Bathroom
Blood coming from the gastrointestinal tract can signal a variety of underlying health issues, but Dr. Sengupta says when this bleeding is combined with upper abdominal pain, hes highly suspicious that its one of the signs of an ulcer. Many patients notice this blood either when vomiting, or when using the bathroom, as their stools may appear black. If you notice youre suffering from a bleeding GI tract, along with nausea and pain in the stomach or chest, Dr. Sengupta says doctors will often perform a blood test or an upper endoscopywhere they use a camera to look into the stomach itselfto check if an ulcer is the culprit. Blood in your stool can also be due to hemorrhoids or a symptom of colon cancer, so its a good idea to get checked out by your doctor.
Upper Left Abdomen Anatomy
The upper left part of the abdomen contains several structures including:
- Left adrenal gland
- Upper left sections of the large intestine
Pain in the upper left abdomen is also called pain in the left upper quadrant, pain under the left ribcage, or pain in the left hypochondrium.
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What Is Indigestion And What Is An Ulcer
A lesion or sore that develops on the lining of your stomach or in the first part of your small intestine is called an ulcer. Ulcers are usually caused by the bacterium H. pylori or by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen. A lesion can get aggravated by your stomach acid and causes pain and other symptoms.
Indigestion or dyspepsia, on the other hand, describes a chronic or recurring pain in your upper abdomen. Indigestion can be caused by many things, including stress, eating too much, taking certain medications, or having an underlying condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or gallbladder disease.
What Causes A Peptic Ulcer
Causes of peptic ulcers include
- long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- an infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori
- rare cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreasknown as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Sometimes peptic ulcers are caused by both NSAIDs and H. pylori.
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Can Ulcers Affect Bowel Movements
Rectal ulcers are sores that develop inside the rectum. These sores can be caused by several conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and constipation. If you have a rectal ulcer, you may see blood in the stool, have rectal pain or experience painful bowel movements.
Possible Erectile Dysfunction Risk
A 2005 Finnish survey study found an association between long term use of NSAIDs and .
A 2011 publication in received widespread publicity. According to the study, men who used NSAIDs regularly were at significantly increased risk of erectile dysfunction. A link between NSAID use and erectile dysfunction still existed after controlling for several conditions. However, the study was observational and not controlled, with low original participation rate, potential participation bias, and other uncontrolled factors. The authors warned against drawing any conclusion regarding cause.
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What Are The Complications Of Duodenal Ulcers
If left untreated, your duodenal ulcers may get worse. This can cause other complications, such as:
- broken blood vessels
- obstructing food from leaving your stomach
- perforation in the duodenal wall
These complications require emergency treatment, and can cause sharp pain, bloody vomit, or bloody faeces .
When Should I Go To Er
Seek emergency care if you have:
- Severe pain that doesnt go away.
- Signs of blood in your poop or bloody vomit.
- Signs of severe blood loss, such as paleness and faintness.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Stomach ulcers are common and treatable, but they should be taken seriously. Even when they dont cause symptoms, they arent a good sign. A stomach ulcer means that your natural stomach acid is overwhelming your protective stomach lining. Thats a situation that can only get worse if it isnt managed. Lifestyle changes may help, but youll still need to treat the underlying cause. Its probably either NSAID use or a common bacterial infection. Your healthcare provider can help prescribe the right medicines for your condition.
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When To Get Help For Chest Pain
You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you develop sudden severe chest pain, particularly if:
- the pain feels heavy, pressing or tight
- the pain lasts longer than 15 minutes
- the pain spreads to other parts of your body, such as your arms, back or jaw
- you also have other symptoms, such as breathlessness, nausea, sweating, or coughing up blood
- you are at risk of coronary heart disease for example, you smoke, are obese, or have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
If the discomfort is only minor or has resolved, it may be more appropriate to either:
- speak to your GP
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Endoscopy For Diagnosing Or Treating Bleeding Ulcers
Endoscopy is important for both diagnosing and treating bleeding ulcers.
Endoscopy for Diagnosing Bleeding Ulcers and Determining Risk of Rebleeding
With endoscopy, doctors are able to detect the signs of bleeding, such as active spurting or oozing of blood from arteries. Endoscopy can also detect specific features in the ulcers, referred to as stigmata, which indicate a higher or lower risk of rebleeding.
Endoscopy as Treatment
Endoscopy is usually used to treat bleeding from visible vessels that are less than 2 mm in diameter. This approach also appears to be very effective at preventing rebleeding in patients whose ulcers are not bleeding, but who have high-risk features . Endoscopic treatment includes epinephrine injection, thermocoagulation, application of clips and banding procedures.
The following is a typical endoscopic treatment procedure:
Endoscopy is effective at controlling bleeding in most people who are good candidates for the procedure. Rebleeding occurs in about 10% to 20% of patients. If rebleeding occurs, a repeat endoscopy is effective in about 75% of patients. Those who fail to respond will need to have an angiogram with embolization or major abdominal surgery. The most serious complication from endoscopy is perforation of the stomach or intestinal wall.
Other Medical Considerations
Certain medications may be needed after endoscopy:
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What Is The Treatment For Peptic Ulcers
The choice of treatment depends on whether or not the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori. Correct diagnosis is key to whether a treatment works or not. If the bacteria are the cause, treatment focuses on killing the infection. Regardless of whether the bacteria are the cause, reducing acid in the stomach is another important focus of treatment.
The following treatments are recommended for ulcers:
- Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs
- Acid-blocking medications
- Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum
- Triple-therapy or dual-therapy regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori
No single medication works to get rid of H pylori infection. Two combinations have been found that work well in most people.
These treatments are generally given for two weeks.
Once H pylori bacteria are eradicated from a persons digestive tract, usually it will not come back. The ulcers usually heal completely and do not return.
Treatment for bleeding ulcers depends on the severity of blood loss and includes:
It is important to remember that treatment may not work if the diagnosis is not correct. If the doctor diagnoses an ulcer, it is important to determine whether the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori.