Introduction
Ulcers can also occur in part of the intestine just
beyond the stomach - these are known as duodenal ulcers.
Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are sometimes referred
to as peptic ulcers. Here the term “stomach ulcer” will be used, although the
following information applies equally to duodenal ulcers.
The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning
or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen. Read more about the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
When to
seek medical advice
You should always visit your GP if you suspect you have
a stomach ulcer. Seek urgent medical advice if you experience any of the
following symptoms:
•
vomiting blood – the blood can
appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance similar to coffee
grounds
•
passing black tar-like stools
•
a sudden, sharp pain in your
stomach that gets steadily worse and does not improve
These could be a sign of a complication, such as
internal bleeding.
What
causes stomach ulcers?
There are two main causes of stomach ulcers:
•
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
bacteria, which can irritate the stomach or upper intestine lining, causing an
ulcer to form
•
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin,
which can have a similar effect
Read more about the causes of stomach ulcers.
Who is
affected?
Stomach ulcers are common. In England, it is estimated
about 1 in 10 people will have a stomach ulcer at some point in their
life.
Stomach ulcers can affect people of any age, including
children, but mostly people aged 60 or over.
Treating
stomach ulcers
Medication can be used to treat stomach ulcers. A type
of medication known as a proton pump inhibitor can usually reduce the
amount of acid in your digestive system, allowing the ulcer to heal.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers,
a combination of antibiotics can be used to kill the bacteria which should
prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are related to the use of
NSAIDs, they are usually stopped and proton pump inhibitors used. In the
case of aspirin-induced ulcers the aspirin sometimes needs to be continued,
depending on why it is being given.
Your doctor will advise you on your particular
case.
Read more about treating stomach ulcers.
If the underlying causes of a stomach ulcer are
addressed, the ulcer usually goes away after treatment. It's important to
address the underlying cause as new ulcers can sometimes form.
Complications
of stomach ulcers
Complications of a stomach ulcer are uncommon, affecting
around 1 in 50 people.
However, they can be serious and include:
•
bleeding at the site of the
ulcer
•
the stomach lining at the site of
the ulcer splitting open – known as perforation
•
the ulcer blocking the movement of
food through the digestive system – known as gastric obstruction
Some complications are regarded as medical emergencies,
though are rarely life-threatening. Older people aged over 70 are most at risk
of experiencing a fatal complication of a stomach ulcer.
Read more about the complications of stomach ulcers.
Peptic
ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a painful condition that affects as
many as one in eight people in the UK. But sufferers don’t have to put up with
the discomfort. There are now effective ways of getting rid of ulcers. Dr John
Bennett explains.
Peptic
ulcer disease
Sometimes, the term "peptic ulcer disease" is
used rather than stomach ulcer.
Healthcare professionals often prefer this term because
ulcers are not just limited to the stomach – they can also form in the small
intestine. These types of ulcers are called duodenal ulcers and are more
common than stomach ulcers.
In this topic, the term "stomach ulcer" will
be used to refer to all types of peptic ulcers, unless there is a need to
differentiate between a stomach ulcer and a duodenal ulcer.
Symptoms
of stomach ulcer
"The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a
burning or gnawing pain that develops in your abdomen (tummy).
The pain can also travel up to your neck, down to your navel (belly-button) or
through to your back."
The pain associated with a stomach ulcer is caused by
the ulcer itself and stomach acid that comes into contact with the ulcer
and irritates it.
The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
You may find pain starts soon after eating a
meal. If the ulcer is in your small intestine (duodenal ulcer), pain may start
two to three hours after eating so it may wake you up during the night.
Eating more food and taking antacids (indigestion medication) can
often help relieve the pain of a duodenal ulcer, but not usually the pain of a
stomach ulcer.
Less common symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:
•
loss of appetite
•
being sick
Some people also find they can no longer tolerate eating
fatty foods.
Stomach ulcers often do not cause typical symptoms and
occasionally do not cause any pain at all. Which means it's possible to
get a complication, such as bleeding, without feeling pain beforehand.
When to
seek urgent medical advice
Symptoms can develop if a stomach ulcer suddenly causes
serious complications, such as internal bleeding. These include:
•
vomiting blood – the blood can
appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance similar to coffee
grounds
•
passing black tar-like stools
•
a sudden, sharp pain in your
stomach that gets steadily worse and does not improve
If you experience these symptoms, you should
contact your Dr. immediately.
Photo Credit: Google
Word Credit: NHS Choices
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peptic-ulcer/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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