Other Causes Of Stomach Ulcer
- Cancer: Cancer or other diseases of the esophagus or stomach can also cause stomach ulcers.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can also cause your stomach to produce more acid, which can irritate the lining of the stomach or intestine, leading to ulcers.
- Lack of exercise: Being overweight can increase your risk of stomach ulcers.
- Bulimia and Binge Eating: involve eating large amounts of food very quickly are associated with an increased risk of developing stomach ulcers.
- Cigarette smoking: As with other tobacco-based products, cigarette smoke can lead to stomach ulcers.
- Dairy products. Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream, can cause ulcers.
- Spicy foods. Spicy foods, such as curries, chili, and peppers, can cause ulcers.
- Fried foods. Fried foods, such as fried chicken, french fries, and fried chicken, can cause ulcers by irritating the stomach lining.
Treatment For A Stomach Ulcer
Special diets are now known to have very little impact on the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers. Treatment options can include:
- medication including antibiotics, to destroy the H. pylori colony, and drugs to help speed the healing process. Different drugs need to be used in combination some of the side effects can include diarrhoea and rashes. Resistance to some of these antibiotics is becoming more common
- subsequent breath tests used to make sure the H. pylori infection has been treated successfully
- changes to existing medication the doses of arthritis medication, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication can be altered slightly to reduce their contributing effects on the stomach ulcer.
- reducing acid tablets are available to reduce the acid content in the gastric juices
- lifestyle modifications including quitting cigarettes, since smoking reduces the natural defences in the stomach and impairs the healing process.
Is There A Peptic Ulcer Diet Plan
No particular diet is helpful for people with peptic ulcers. At one time, a bland diet and avoidance of spicy or greasy foods was recommended. Milk and dairy food have been used in the past for ulcer symptoms, but have not been proven to be effective. We now know diet has little effect on ulcers. In some people, however, certain foods seem to aggravate stomach ulcer symptoms. Keep a food diary with your intake and the resulting symptoms and avoid eating any foods that aggravate symptoms.
Read Also: What Foods Help Stomach Ulcers
How Do Tumors From Zes Cause Peptic Ulcers
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare disorder that happens when one or more tumors form in your pancreas and duodenum. The tumors release large amounts of gastrin, a hormone that causes your stomach to produce large amounts of acid. The extra acid causes peptic ulcers to form in your duodenum and in the upper intestine.
What To Do When Youre Dizzy
Dizziness tends to come unannounced or suddenly. You may be working or doing something and suddenly start feeling unsteady and weak. As seen throughout this post, having a thyroid-related disorder can, indeed, contribute to dizziness. The question is what to do when this happens? You need to sit or lie down immediately to lower your chances of falling down, especially if you also have vertigo. In cases of vertigo, the most useful thing to do is to lie down in a dark, quiet place and close your eyes.
If you experience dizziness quite often, there are many ways to make these episodes more tolerable, lower their intensity, or even prevent them. These tips will help you handle lightheadedness in a more effective manner:
Don’t Miss: What To Eat To Soothe An Ulcer
Other Risk Factors For Ulcers From H Pylori Or Nsaids
Stress and Psychological Factors
Although stress is no longer considered a cause of ulcers, some studies still suggest that stress may predispose a person to ulcers or prevent existing ulcers from healing.
Smoking
Smoking increases acid secretion, reduces prostaglandin and bicarbonate production, and decreases blood flow. However, the results of studies on the actual effect of smoking on ulcers are mixed. Some evidence suggests that smoking delays the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Other studies have found no increased risk for ulcers in smokers.
Tobacco use and exposure may accelerate coronary artery disease and peptic ulcer disease. It is also linked to reproductive problems, esophageal reflux, hypertension, fetal illness and death, and delayed wound healing.
What Is The Treatment For Stomach 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 person’s 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.
Recommended Reading: Ulcerative Colitis And Pain Medication
Symptoms Of A Headache Due To Acidity
It can be difficult even for doctors to differentiate whether youre having a headache because of acid reflux, GERD, or one of the many other causes of headache.
Treating the root cause rather than symptoms one by one is a whole philosophy in medicine. You can take medicine to treat headache pain, or you can treat whats causing it. In the case of headaches linked to GERD, people who
There are a number of remedies that you can try to improve your acid reflux at home. Keeping GERD under control can help stem other symptoms related to the condition, like headaches.
Why Does Acidity Cause Headaches
Great question. Acidity in the stomach causes headaches because the blood vessels in your head are sensitive to the same acids that cause acid reflux. The arteries in your head are then irritated and tighten, which can cause pain in your head. This is called a vasodilatory headache, or heartburn headache. However, its not the only case of acid causing headaches. If you have a hiatal hernia, acid could escape your stomach into your esophagus. Its then possible that the acid could reach your throat and nose and cause a burning sensation in your face. It also could cause a headache, because it irritates the arteries in your head just like the acid reflux headache..
You May Like: Method For Cleaning Leg Ulcers
Using Pain Relievers With Caution
Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and certain medications can increase your risk of ulcers. Talk to your doctor about taking the lowest dose of these medications for the shortest time to treat your health conditions. Take your medications with food. Avoid drinking alcohol while on pain relievers. Ask your doctor if you need to take additional medications such as antacids, acid blockers, or proton pump inhibitors to protect your stomach lining.
Dizziness Fatigue Nausea Or Vomiting And Upset Stomach
- Medical Author: Dan Brennan, MD
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2020
These symptoms can be present in a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions. Perhaps you ate something that didn’t agree with you. Have you been under recent stress? Keep track of potenial triggers. If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should reach out to your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Recommended Reading: Why Does Ulcerative Colitis Cause Gas
What Is The Fastest Way To Cure A Stomach Ulcer
While there are many possible causes of stomach ulcers, the most common cause is an infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Treatment for H. pylori typically involves a combination of antibiotics and other medications. The specific antibiotics and other medications used will depend on the individual case, but some common options include clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, omeprazole, and ranitidine.
In most cases, treatment for H. pylori can be completed in one to two weeks. However, more severe cases may require longer courses of treatment.
If you think you may have a stomach ulcer, it is important to see a doctor so that you can receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
You Have Pain Specifically In Your Upper Abdomen
One of the most common ulcer symptoms is a severe pain in the upper abdomen, according to Neil Sengupta, MD, a gastroenterology specialist at the University of Chicago. Ulcers can develop anywhere in the upper digestive track, but Dr. Sengupta says we often think about those occurring in the stomach or small intestine, where we feel pain. This pain usually occurs between the breastbone and belly button, and can bring on a burning, aching, or dull feeling. The sensation may begin as a light, mild pain but often progresses into something more serious as the ulcers develop.
Also Check: Vsl 3 And Ulcerative Colitis
Also Check: Recipes For Someone With Ulcerative Colitis
Sudden Discomfort In The Chest Back Or Neck
Any pain, pressure or squeezing sensation in the chest, back, jaws, neck or along the arms that comes on abruptly and lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back, may signal a heart attack.
Not everyone will feel a heart attack in the chest women in particular often experience other signs. These may include pain in the jaw, neck or arms difficulty breathing light-headedness or dizziness nausea or indigestion fatigue or a cold sweat. Of course, there are many conditions other than a heart attack that can cause these symptoms. Itâs time to head to the ER if these symptoms are new, last more than a few minutes, or go away and come back.
The Link Between Headaches And Gi Symptoms
A connection between headache and GI symptoms has long been noted for some types of headache. In fact, the International Headache Society includes nausea and vomiting within the diagnostic criteria for migraine.
Additionally, abdominal migraine is a subtype of migraine thats mostly seen in children. It causes GI symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, as opposed to headache. Many children with this condition go on to experience migraine as adults.
A 2008 study asked 51,383 individuals to fill out two surveys: one about headache, and one about GI symptoms. Headache was found to be more prevalent in people with GI symptoms. This association rose significantly with increasing headache frequency.
Furthermore, a
Dont Miss: Can I Take Milk Of Magnesia On An Empty Stomach
Recommended Reading: What Are Infusions For Ulcerative Colitis
How Are Abdominal Pain And Dizziness Treated
Treatments for abdominal pain and dizziness vary depending on the primary symptom and underlying cause. For example, a gastric ulcer may require medicine or surgery. Your doctor can recommend a specific treatment course to treat the condition.
In some cases, abdominal pain and dizziness resolves without treatment. This is common for food poisoning, stomach flu, and motion sickness.
Try to drink lots of fluids if vomiting and diarrhea accompany your stomach pains. Lying or sitting down can help as you wait for symptoms to improve. You can also take medication to reduce stomach pains and dizziness.
Bleeding Ulcers Symptoms And Causes
Bleeding ulcers are a big deal. Often having endoscopy is diagnostic and therapeutic. A gastroenterologist can use a fiberoptic camera to view the inside of the stomach and duodenum, searching for a source of bleeding.
Symptoms of a bleeding ulcer include:
- Abdominal discomfort after eating
- Upper abdominal burning or hunger pain 1 to 3 hours after eating or in the middle of the night
Don’t Miss: Best Way To Treat Mouth Ulcers
How Are Headaches Treated In Children And Adolescents
The proper treatment will depend on several factors, including the type and frequency of the headache, its cause, and the age of the child. Treatment may include headache education, lifestyle changes, stress management, and medications.
Headache education. Patient education includes learning about your headache type and recording what triggers the headaches, such as lack of sleep, specific foods and beverages, or stress. Common food and beverage triggers include caffeinated foods and beverages , chocolate, nitrates/nitrites , aged cheeses , and monosodium glutamate -containing foods .
Your doctor may give you a headache diary to record your headache experiences. After reviewing your diary, your doctor will recommend ways to manage your headache triggers. Bring this diary with you to all of your appointments.
Lifestyle changes. Many headaches are related to poor lifestyle habits. Important basics to headache management are to get 8 hours of sleep a night, drink six 8-oz glasses of water day, eat three healthy meals a day , limit the use of over-the-counter medications 2 days/week or less, and get cardio exercise .
Relaxation techniques. Learning relaxation techniques can help reduce the pain and/or frequency of the headaches. If you have a headache, you should:
Other ways to relax or reduce stress include:
- Deep breathing exercises
Read Also: How To Improve Stomach Acid
Antacids And H2 Blockers
Antacids
Antacids neutralize existing acid in the stomach. Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Amphojel are safe and effective treatments. However, the neutralizing action of these agents is short-lived, and frequent dosing is required. Magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox and Mylanta, can cause diarrhea, while aluminum containing agents like Amphojel can cause constipation. Ulcers frequently return when antacids are discontinued.
H2 blockers
Studies have shown that a protein released in the stomach called histamine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Histamine antagonists are drugs designed to block the action of histamine on gastric cells and reduce the production of acid. Examples of H2 blockers are cimetidine , nizatidine , and famotidine . While H2 blockers are effective in ulcer healing, they have a limited role in eradicating H. pylori without antibiotics. Therefore, ulcers frequently return when H2 blockers are stopped.
Don’t Miss: How To Fix A Stomach Ulcer
See Your Doctor About Ulcer Symptoms
If you are experiencing upper abdominal pain or any of the other symptoms mentioned above, you should see your doctor. If your doctor suspects you may have a peptic ulcer they will want to confirm the cause and diagnosis and start treatment.
References
1. BMJ Best Practice. Peptic ulcer disease . https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/80 .2. Gastric disorders . In: eTG complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited 2018 Jul. https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/ .
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:
- Loss of appetite
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: Foam Dressings For Treating Pressure Ulcers
Are There Any Risks To Taking Medication To Treat Tension Headaches
Over-the-counter pain relievers are generally safe. But overusing pain relievers can cause other problems. Make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully. Always check in with your provider if you feel the need to use pain relievers more than twice a week.
Take these medications only when you need them. Use the smallest dose that relieves your pain.
In general, overusing pain medications may cause:
- Headaches: Taking pain relievers too often can actually cause a headache when you stop taking the medicine. This effect is similar to withdrawal.
- Other side effects: All drugs have side effects. Avoid taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen, too often. Overuse may cause stomach pain, bleeding or ulcers. If you take any medication regularly, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Reduced benefits over time: Your body can build up a tolerance any medication. You may notice that a medication youve used regularly doesnt work as well as it once did.
- Dependence: Some medications can become addictive. They may pose more risks than benefits. For that reason, healthcare providers usually recommend against prescribing benzodiazepines and narcotics to treat tension headaches.
Also Check: What Is The Recommended Diet For Horses With Ulcers