What are the symptoms of stomach ulcer?

Gastric ulcers, commonly called stomach ulcers, are abrasive lesions on the stomach lining. Peptic ulcer disease includes stomach ulcers as a subtype. Any ulcer that affects the stomach and small intestines is called a peptic ulcer.

When the thick coating of mucus that shields your stomach from digestive fluids is thinner than average, stomach ulcers develop. This makes it possible for the stomach's lining tissues to become eroded by the digestive acids, leading to an ulcer.

Although stomach ulcers are usually treatable, if left untreated, they can worsen. Today we will discuss the symptoms of stomach ulcers and how they can be diagnosed and treated. For more information, you can book a consultation with a Gastroenterologist in Mumbai through the Credihealth website.

What are the symptoms of a stomach ulcer?

Several symptoms accompany stomach ulcers. The degree of the ulcer determines how severe the symptoms are.

The most typical symptom is a burning sensation or pain between your belly button and chest area. The pain can persist for a few minutes to many hours and is typically worst when your stomach is empty.

Additional typical ulcer warning signs and symptoms include:

• Mild stomach discomfort.
• Slimming down.
• Unable to eat due to discomfort.
• Vomiting or nauseous.
• Bloating.
• Acid reflux or gurgling.
• A burning sensation in the chest is often known as heartburn.
• Pain that might disappear if you consume food, drink liquids, or take antacids.
• Fatigue, breathlessness, or a paler complexion are some signs of anemia.
• Your stool may be dark or tarry or contain red or maroon blood.
• Your vomit may contain red blood or appear like coffee grounds.
• Persistent stomach discomfort that is sudden, severe, or both.
• Feeling lightheaded or faint.
• A pounding heartbeat or additional shock signs.
• A change in your peptic ulcer symptoms or a worsening of them.
• Eating a meal and being full too quickly.
• After a meal, feeling uncomfortably full.

How is a stomach ulcer diagnosed?

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and health background. They'll want to know if you routinely take NSAIDs or have a history of H. pylori infection. They will want to inspect inside your stomach and duodenum if symptoms suggest an ulcer. They can do exams such as 

1. Endoscopy: 

An upper endoscopy check is quick because it lets medical professionals see inside your digestive tract and collect tissue samples for laboratory analysis. A narrow tube with a tiny camera attached is passed down your throat, stomach, and duodenum to do the test.

 Your doctor may use the endoscope to collect tissue samples for testing for cancer, anemia, H. pylori infection, mucosal damage, and other conditions. 

2. Image-based tests:

• GI upper series- An upper GI X-ray exam uses X-rays to examine the stomach and duodenum. Endoscopy is more intrusive than this. In preparation for the X-ray, you will ingest barium, a chalky liquid that coats your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The barium makes your digestive system's organs appear more clearly in black-and-white photos.
• CT scan- If your doctor needs to see your organs in greater detail, they may suggest a CT scan. A CT scan can show complications like a stomach or intestinal wall perforation. To improve the visibility of your organs on scans, you might drink or receive an injection of contrast fluid.

3. H. pylori testing: 

Your doctor might want to do a separate H. pylori infection test on you. Testing might involve.

• A blood test- An easy and quick technique to check for prior H. pylori infection is with a blood test. In your blood, the lab searches for signs of antibacterial antibodies. Nevertheless, it is less reliable for detecting an already active infection.
• Stool test- H. pylori might be discovered in your feces by medical professionals. If you've observed any changes in your excrement, they might want to examine it.

4. Breath test: 

An accurate diagnostic for identifying an active H. pylori infection is the H. pylori breath test. You'll ingest a flavored solution containing the organic chemical component urea for the test. 

Your digestive tract's H. pylori bacteria will degrade the urea and transform it into carbon dioxide if they are there. Your breath will contain carbon dioxide. Healthcare professionals can quantify your breathing as you breathe into a bag.

How is a stomach ulcer treated?

Medical professionals use combinations of medications to treat superficial ulcers to lower stomach acid, cover and protect the ulcer during healing, and eradicate any bacterial infections that may be present. Medications include:

• Antibiotics-

  Based on your medical history and current state, your healthcare professional will recommend combining medications to eradicate the bacterium if H. pylori are discovered in your digestive tract. 

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)-

  These medications protect your stomach lining and reduce stomach acid. PPIs consist of rabeprazole, esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, and pantoprazole.

• H2 blockers-

   lessen stomach acid by obstructing the chemical your body uses to signal it to make it (histamines). Famotidine, cimetidine, and nizatidine are examples of H2 blockers.

• Antacids-

  These widely available over-the-counter medications assist in reducing gastric acid. These reduce some of your symptoms but won't completely cure your ulcer. They may also conflict with some antibiotics.

• Cytoprotective agents-

  These drugs aid in coating and safeguarding the lining of your stomach. Misoprostol and sucralfate are a couple of them.

• Bismuth subsalicylate-

  The Pepto-Bismol brand of this over-the-counter medication can help cover and shield your ulcer from stomach acid. Don't forget that although bismuth can make your poop appear black, it does not have the tarry, sticky texture that blood in poop has.

Even though most ulcers respond well to therapy, certain complex ulcers may necessitate surgery. You will require surgery to treat ulcers that are bleeding or have pierced the wall of your stomach or intestine. 

Conclusion-

Although common and manageable, stomach ulcers need to be treated seriously. These are unfavorable signs, even if they don't result in symptoms. Stomach ulcers indicate that your body's natural stomach acid is overpowering your stomach's barrier-protecting lining. 

You'll still need to treat the underlying reason, but lifestyle adjustments may benefit. Either NSAID use or a typical bacterial illness is likely to blame. Book a consultation with a gastroenterologist in Mumbai through the Credihealth website to get the proper treatment for you.