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.
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: Recipes For Someone With Ulcerative Colitis
Headache And H Pylori
The bacteria, H. pylori, can cause stomach ulcers, and it may result in other intestinal symptoms. Researchers have noticed a connection between migraine headache and H. pylori bacterial infection. With proper treatment, you can prevent migraine headaches. Moreover, you will find a reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraine attacks.
But, more scientific studies are needed for knowing about the relationship between ulcers and headaches.
Read Also: What Is A Good Diet For Ulcerative Colitis
What Else Can You Do For Indigestion
Apart from taking an indigestion medicine, there are many things you can do to help, such as:
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
- Avoid foods that can make indigestion worse, such as fatty foods or spicy foods.
If you have heartburn reflux, it may help if you:
- Try to eat smaller meals more frequently rather than larger meals.
- Avoid eating for the few hours before you go to bed.
- Raise the head of your bed.
Donât Miss: Breakfast Recipes For Ulcerative Colitis
When To See A Healthcare Provider/go To The Hospital
You may feel relief with an antacid, but you should not ignore symptoms of a peptic ulcer. If you have persistent symptoms for longer than a week, it is best to see your healthcare provider. He or she will determine whether you need prescription medications and whether you have complications, such as bleeding or anemia.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:
- Pain that radiates to the back
- Pain that doesnt go away when you take medication
- Unintended weight loss
- Loss of consciousness
You May Like: Can You Drink Alcohol With Ulcerative Colitis
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.
Does Flaxseed Irritate Ibs
Image taken by: pinimg
Flaxseed is a popular health food that has been known to have multiple benefits for the body, including aiding in digestive health. However, when it comes to those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome , it may not be the best choice. Flaxseed has been known to cause an increase in gas and bloating, which can be particularly uncomfortable for those with IBS. Additionally, flaxseed can be difficult to digest, which can cause further discomfort. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor before adding flaxseed to your diet if you suffer from IBS.
This plant contains the tiny seeds of flax, also known as flaxseed. As a result of their nutritional value, flaxseed has been shown to reduce constipation symptoms in a variety of human studies. Because of its ability to speed up the intestinal movement, flaxseed causes an increase in bowel movements. A small study of 31 people with IBS found that flaxseed had no effect on stool consistency or frequency. When selecting the type of flax seed to use, consider its shelf life. Individuals with diverticulosis are strongly advised not to have seed fragments trapped in their colon. To learn more about how we ensured that this article was fact checked by experts in the field, read our fact-check.
Don’t Miss: Prednisone For Ulcerative Colitis Reviews
What Are The Causes Of Stomach Ulcers
The most common causes of stomach ulcers are an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and can also be due to the long term usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen .
A symptom of a bleeding ulcer is a dark red blood in the stool. Some patients have the strange sensation of vomiting blood. This is a sign of anemia, which is associated with severe headaches. Having a complicated stomach ulcer can result in anemia.
A bacteria known as H. pylori may cause stomach bleeds, which can cause serious complications. Also, a bleeding peptic lining can lead to nausea, black stools, and severe pain in the abdomen.
An upper endoscopy is an important procedure for diagnosing stomach ulcers. An endoscope is passed into the food pipe through the mouth and throat to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This procedure usually requires sedation.
An alternative to this procedure is an alternative small endoscope which is inserted through the nose. During this procedure, you may be given a stool sample or a urea breath test to diagnose a bacterium that causes the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
Watch Your Fiber Intake
Fibrous foods such as whole grains, beans, and legumes can be a common cause of bloating. While these foods are promoted as healthier than their refined counterparts, their high-fiber content leads to bloat in some people.
Fiber is an important part of a heart-healthy diet, but you should gradually increase the amount you eat. For example, instead of switching from refined white grains to whole grains all at once, try replacing one product at a time to see how your body reacts.
Don’t Miss: How To Calm Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up
What Are The Complications Of Peptic Ulcers
Ulcers can cause serious problems if you dont get treatment.
The most common problems include:
- Bleeding. As an ulcer wears away the muscles of the stomach or duodenal wall, blood vessels may be hurt. This causes bleeding.
- Hole . Sometimes an ulcer makes a hole in the wall of your stomach or duodenum. When this happens, bacteria and partly digested food can get in. This causes infection and redness or swelling .
- Narrowing and blockage . Ulcers that are found where the duodenum joins the stomach can cause swelling and scarring. This can narrow or even block the opening to the duodenum. Food cant leave your stomach and go into your small intestine. This causes vomiting. You cant eat properly.
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.
Don’t Miss: How To Reverse Ulcerative Colitis
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
- âTriple-therapyâ or âdual-therapyâ 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 personâs 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
Causes Of Sinus Infection Vertigo Or Dizziness
As listed above, some people may experience vertigo or dizziness with a sinus infection. Vertigo describes a severe type of dizziness that feels like your body spins or moves while standing still. This separates it from lightheadedness, which makes you feel faint. Lightheadedness goes away shortly after lying down. However, dizziness or vertigo persists even after you recline. Discover how your sinus problem could cause this issue and what you need to do about it.
Read Also: Ulcers In Esophagus And Stomach
What Causes Peptic Ulcers
When you eat, your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food.
- The food is partially digested in the stomach and then moves on to the duodenum to continue the process.
- Peptic ulcers occur when the acid and enzyme overcome the defense mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract and erode the mucosal wall.
In the past it was thought that ulcers were caused by lifestyle factors such as eating habits, cigarettesmoking, and stress.
- Now it is understood that people with ulcers have an imbalance between acid and pepsin coupled with the digestive tract’s inability to protect itself from these harsh substances.
- Research done in the 1980s showed that some ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium named Helicobacter pylori, usually called H pylori.
- Not everyone who gets an ulcer is infected with H pylori. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause ulcers if taken regularly.
Some types of medical therapy can contribute to ulcer formation. The following factors can weaken the protective mucosal barrier of the stomach increasing the chances of getting an ulcer and slow the healing of existing ulcers.
- Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , and newer anti-inflammatory medications
- Cigarettesmoking
- Radiation therapy:-used for diseases such as cancer
People who take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications are at an increased risk even if they do not have H pylori infection.
How Can I Be Sure Its An Ulcer
The only way to be sure an ulcer is causing your discomfort is with a medical diagnosis. We will evaluate your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination.
To determine the root cause of your ulcer, we may run blood, stool, or breath tests. These tests are designed to look for signs of helicobacter pylori, the bacteria linked to ulcers.
Depending on your unique symptoms, we may also order an endoscopy. During an endoscopy, we insert a tube with a tiny camera down your throat and into your stomach to take pictures of any potential damage and collect tissue samples for analysis.
You May Like: Can I Live A Normal Life With Ulcerative Colitis
Why Do Some Ulcer Patients Have Dizziness And Headaches
Complicated peptic ulcer disease can cause the interiors of your stomach to bleed continuously. Loss of a high amount of blood can cause anemia. That is why ulcer patients in serious conditions feel dizziness and headache.
There is another reason for having these feelings. Your physician will prescribe some medications to cure peptic ulcers. These medications can cause side effects like dizziness and headache. The most common drugs include
- H2 blockers like famotidine
- Proton Pump inhibitors like omeprazole
- Antacids- Al hydroxide
These medications will cause a few side effects. You do not need to be concerned about them.
How Can I Prevent A Stomach Ulcer From Occurring Or Returning
- Reduce NSAID use, if possible. Consider whether acetaminophen might substitute. If you take NSAIDs for medical reasons, talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage or switching your medication. Your doctor may also prescribe another medicine to take with NSAIDs to protect your stomach lining.
- Reduce other irritants that may contribute to too much stomach acid or erode your stomach lining, including smoking and alcohol use.
- Take an H. pylori breath test to find out if you have an overgrowth of the bacteria.
You May Like: Air Mattress For Decubitus Ulcers
Can Bloating Be Prevented Or Avoided
There are many ways to prevent and avoid bloating:
- Avoid the foods that are known to cause gas. These include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, beans, and lentils.
- Avoid chewing gum.
- Avoid using straws for drinking.
- Reduce or avoid drinking carbonated drinks .
- Reduce or avoid eating and drinking foods that include fructose or sorbitol. These artificial sweeteners are often found in sugar-free foods.
- Eat more foods high in fiber to prevent constipation. If foods alone dont help, consider taking a fiber supplement.
- Avoid dairy products if you notice they cause gas and bloating.
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
Donât Miss: Best Way To Treat Mouth Ulcers
Also Check: How To Treat Ulcers In Horses
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.
What Treatments Are There For Ulcers
Your treatment will depend on the cause of your ulcer. For example, if our tests indicate that an infection caused by helicobacter pylori is what created your ulcer, well give you antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria.
Regardless of the cause, medications that help reduce the level of acid in your stomach can help the ulcer heal. And different lifestyle changes can accelerate healing as well, such as eliminating certain foods, abstaining from alcohol, and practicing stress management.
In severe cases, surgery may be required. Your provider at Prima Medicine will work with you to create a treatment plan for your situation.
If you have a stomach ulcer or want to see if you do, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Prima Medicine today.
Also Check: Stage 3 Pressure Ulcer Treatment
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
Youre More Bloated Than Usual
If you notice your stomach feeling particularly bloated, it may be more serious than a little bit of gasit could be one of the signs of an ulcer. According to RM Healthy, bloating is often one of the earliest ulcer symptoms, with patients especially complaining of pain in their midsection. Of course, bloating can also be caused simply by eating something your body doesnt agree with or not drinking enough water, but when combined with these other symptoms, its worth checking out.
Also Check: Sacral Decubitus Ulcer Stage 4 Icd 10