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
Posted by Dr. Chris
Stomach ulcers are a common digestive problem and can cause significant discomfort. Sometimes these ulcers, which are open sores, may bleed. This can continue intermittently for weeks and even months. However, in some cases it can arise suddenly and be severe. As with any blood loss, this can be dangerous. For high risk patients like the elderly it can even lead to death if there is extensive blood loss without medical treatment.
Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcers
Although the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen . Not all stomach ulcers are painful.
Some people experience:
Speak to your GP immediately if:
- your symptoms persist
- youre vomiting blood the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance like coffee grounds
- youre passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
- you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse
These could be a sign of a serious complication.
Where Is The Ulcer Pain Located
The most significant symptom of peptic ulcer is abdominal pain. This pain is usually located in the upper abdomen, especially around the lower margin of the ribs. Abdominal pain may vary in intensity and is often described as deep, gnawing, or burning. Medical professionals use several tests to help them determine if a person has an ulcer. One test is the upper GI endoscopy. During this procedure, a slender tube is inserted through the persons mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Upper endoscopy is very useful for diagnosing peptic ulcer, as well as many other stomach problems..
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Dr Ed Whats The Bottom Line
- Spicy foods are healthy.
- Spicy foods dont cause ulcers, but be careful if you have irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, or inflammatory bowel disease . Basically, if spicy foods give you stomach pain, think before you eat.
- Dont get spicy foods in your eyes.
- Use gloves if handling super hot peppers.
- Regarding ridiculously spicy foods with warning labels, eat them at your own risk. Fellas, that ghost pepper sauce almost burned off my chest hairs from the insiderespect it.
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Alternative Treatments Without Proven Efficacy In Peptic Ulcer
The potential of plants as source of new drugs still offers a large field forscientific research. Even if is observed a large number of known plants, a smallpercentage has already been phytochemically investigated and only a fraction of themhas already been assessed to determine its pharmacological potential. Even amongtraditional medicinal plants there is still a large percentage that has not beenstudied to confirm their efficacy and safety in humans.
In peptic ulcer this is also observed. In a study conducted by Mentz andSchenkel, in which theyassessed plants with popularly known effects to scientifically prove them, theyobserved that plants like Symphytum Officinale L. , besideshaving no proven efficacy it may be harmful because of their pyrrolizidine alkaloids,of proven hepatotoxic action. Another studied plant was Zantoxylon rhoifoliunLan , popularly indicated for ulcers and healing, butits benefits have not been proved either. In addition, Maytenus ilicifoliaMart, commonly known in Brazil as âespinheira-santaâ, used for healingpeptic ulcer, has not proven this effect in trials either.
The use of natural products in treatment of ulcer has been widely studied. However,most of the studiesthat haveproven an anti-ulcer effect were conducted with animals, and therefore do not providereliability for alternative treatments in the prevention of relapses or for treatmentof peptic ulcer in humans.
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What Are The Best Foods To Eat With A Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are fairly common. The majority of people with stomach ulcers do not experience any symptoms, but some may experience pain, nausea, diarrhoea, or bloating.
Current research into stomach ulcer diets is based on evidence that suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection plays a role in the formation of stomach ulcers.
Stomach ulcers usually require a combination of medications, including antibiotics. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that eating certain foods can also help get rid of stomach ulcers or, at least, reduce the symptoms they cause.
Keep reading to learn more about the best diet for stomach ulcers, including which foods to eat and avoid.
As well as taking any prescription medications, a person could try including the following food types in their diet:
Can You Prevent A Peptic Ulcer
While stress and spicy foods can make symptoms of a peptic ulcer worse, they donât seem to make you more likely to have one. But a few other things can raise your chances.
Be careful when you take pain relievers. Some people who have arthritis or other conditions that cause chronic pain take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for weeks or months at a time to ease pain and swelling. These medicines can affect the mucus that protects your stomach against acid and make you more likely to have peptic ulcers.
These pain relievers include:
Youâre more likely to get an ulcer while taking one of these if you:
- Are over age 65
- Are infected with H. pylori bacteria
- Take more than one NSAID at a time
- Have had a peptic ulcer in the past
- Also take a steroid drug or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
To lower your chances for peptic ulcers while you take NSAIDs:
- Use the lowest possible dose to control your symptoms, and stop taking them as soon as you no longer need them.
- Take your medicine with food.
- Donât drink alcohol while youâre taking these medicines.
While youâre on NSAIDs, you can take medicine to lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. Drugs that can do that include:
- H2 blockers such as cimetidine , famotidine , and nizatidine
You can also take the drug misoprostol to boost the amount of protective mucus your stomach makes. But that can cause side effects like diarrhea and stomach cramps.
You can do some things to make an infection less likely:
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Stomach Ulcers Can Be Easily Cured But Without Proper Treatment It Can Become Severe
Stomach ulcers are painful sores in the stomach lining. Also known as gastric ulcers, the condition is a type of peptic ulcer that affects both the stomach and small intestine.
One tends to develop a stomach ulcer when the thick layer of mucus that safeguards your stomach from digestive acids becomes thinner and following which the digestive juices eat away the tissues that line your stomach.
However, stomach ulcers can easily be cured, but without a proper dedicated treatment, they can become severe. The symptoms could be feelings of discomfort, bleeding in vomit, weight loss, bleeding in stool and back pain among others.
Here are some preventative measures to save you against stomach ulcers.
1. Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of bacteria that maintain the balance of bacteria present in our digestive system. Add curd to your daily diet, it helps maintain intestinal good bacteria in your digestive system. Also, it can help in healing of ulcers.
2. Ginger
Many people think that ginger has a gastro protective effect. But what they dont know is that ginger keeps the stomach clean. Ginger also helps in getting rid of constipation, bloating and gastritis.
3. Fruits
There are some fruits that contain compounds called flavonoids, which are polyphenols. Flavonoids protect the lining of the stomach from developing ulcer. Flavonoids are found in some fruits like apples, blueberries, cherries, lemons and oranges.
So How Do They Work Exactly
Antioxidant-rich foods like cherries, blueberries, kale, and spinach boost your immune system to more effectively fight infections and even help ward off stomach cancer.
Whats more, mom was right about forcing you to eat broccoli. Research indicates that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, shows anti-H. pylori functionality.
Probiotic foods can be a little more complicated to work into your diet, but they are worth the effort! Clinical studies indicate loading up on foods like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi are like kryptonite for H. pylori bacteria.
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Treatment For Bad Breath Due To Ulcers
The best way to get rid of bad breath is by determining its root cause. No matter how hard you try to improve your poor oral hygiene, the foul odor will never go away if its mainly because of stomach cancer or other health issues.
To effectively diagnose the cause of your bad breath, be warier of the smell of your breath. This will help you describe the symptoms to the doctor and eventually guide them in finding the best solutions.
For example, if you notice that your stomach is being sensitive to particular foods, then your bad breath is most likely due to stomach acid. But if the smell of your breath is somehow close to the scent of ammonia, kidney infection might be the reason behind it. Take note of these things and explain them clearly to your doctor during your checkup. Your doctor will come up with the best solution if they understood your situation distinctly.
Health Conditions That Could Be Making You Put On Weight
Sometimes weight increase can be beyond the control of a healthy diet and exercise.
Youre eating right, taking the stairs, and even getting to the gym a couple of times a week. But youre still putting on weight, so what’s going on?
It turns out, gaining – and losing – weight isnt as simple as ticking the healthy food and workout boxes. Science folk have been researching our expanding waistlines for decades, and one thing they all agree on is that theres no one-size-fits-all reason for weight gain and the nations rising obesity levels.
Illnesses, hormone imbalances and unhealthy lifestyle factors can wreak havoc on our bodies, and weight gain is a very common side effect. So if youre struggling to ditch the pounds there could be a deeper issue at work. Here are a few to consider:
1. Dehydration
Not drinking enough water on a daily basis can have many irritating and uncomfortable side effects. One of those is weight gain, as dehydration causes your metabolism to slow down.
In a 2003 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers found that metabolic rate increases by 30 per cent after drinking two glasses of water.
Your body can also mistake thirst for hunger, encouraging you to eat more, so fill up that water bottle and make sure youre drinking at least 1.5 litres a day.
2. You have an under-active thyroid
“If its sluggish it can be at the root of gradual weight gain, and should be checked by your doctor.”
4. You have PCOS
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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.
What Is H Pylori And How Can It Cause Weight Loss
Heliobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that attacks parts of your digestion, causing inflammation. Initial symptoms include redness and soreness in the affected areas. That said, lasting infection can cause additional unwanted symptoms. H pylori can cause unexpected weight loss, but also peptic ulcers painful sores in your upper digestive tract.
This is not a rare infection. In fact, it is quite common. The majority of people who are infected with H pyolori wont experience weight loss or ulcers. In fact, most wont show any symptoms at all. That said, for some, it can become quite dangerous over time. It is the primary cause of digestive ulcers.
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How To Test For Stomach Ulcers
If your doctor thinks you may have a stomach ulcer, the initial tests will include some blood tests. These tests will help to check whether you have become anaemic because of any bleeding from the ulcer. The blood test will also check to see that your liver and pancreas are working properly.
The main tests that are then used to diagnose a stomach ulcer are as follows:
How Is A Peptic Ulcer Treated
Some peptic ulcers heal on their own. But if you donât treat them, the ulcers tend to come back.
They can erode the blood vessel wall in your stomach or small intestine. The ulcers also can eat a hole through the lining and get infected. Or they can cause swelling, which may block food from moving from your stomach into your small intestine.
If H. pylori is the culprit, your doctor may prescribe a mix of antibiotics to kill it. If aspirin and other NSAIDs are behind the ulcer, you may need to cut down on them, stop taking them altogether, or switch to another pain reliever.
Your doctor may also give you antacids to fight stomach acid, or prescribe medicine to lessen the acid your body makes. Prescription drugs called cytoprotective agents can help protect the lining of the stomach or small intestine so the ulcer can heal.
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Abdominal Pain And Unintentional Weight Loss
What are abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss? Your abdomen houses many organs, including your stomach, liver, and intestines. Just as there are many organs, there are a variety of descriptors for abdominal pain, including:
Everyones weight may fluctuate a few pounds on a daily basis, but unintentional weight loss means losing weight without trying. If you havent changed your eating or exercise habits, yet youre experiencing weight loss, it can be cause for concern. The Mayo Clinic defines unintentional weight loss as losing 10 or more pounds, or more than 5 percent of your body weight.
Older adults are also often subject to abdominal pain due to medications they may be taking. The pain can lead to loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Cancer of any of the abdominal organs can also cause abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss.
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.
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When Should I See A Doctor If I Think I Have A Peptic Ulcer
- If you have burning pain in your upper stomach that is relieved by eating or taking antacids, call a health-care professional for an appointment. Dont assume you have an ulcer. Certain other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
- If you vomit blood or have other signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, go to an emergency department right away. Peptic ulcers can cause massive bleeding, which requires blood transfusion or surgery.
- Severe abdominal pain suggests perforation or tearing of an ulcer. This is an emergency that may require surgery to fix a hole in your stomach.
- Vomiting and abdominal pain also can be a sign of an obstruction, another complication of peptic ulcers. This also may require emergency surgery.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Stomach Ulcer
Most people with a stomach ulcer do not experience any symptoms. The most common symptom is burning pain in the upper abdomen. The pain can travel to the chest and neck, bellybutton, or back.
Other less common symptoms include:
- feeling full and bloated, or belching
- not being able to tolerate fatty foods
Sometimes, stomach ulcers can lead to more serious symptoms, such as:
- a sudden sharp pain in the stomach that gets worse
- blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
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How Are Ulcers Diagnosed
If your doctor thinks you might have a peptic ulcer, theyâll probably start with a physical exam and some tests:
- Theyâll feel your belly and ask if youâve had things like tenderness, pain, or bloating. They might use a stethoscope to listen to any sounds your stomach is making.
- The next step will be tests to look for signs of the H. pylori bacteria. Your doctor may take samples of your blood, stool, or breath for these.
- In some cases, especially if youâre older and your symptoms include things like weight loss or loss of appetite, they might use a long, flexible tube to look down your throat and into your stomach for signs of an ulcer. An endoscope can also take a small sample of tissue from an ulcer that can be tested in a laboratory.
- They might ask you to drink a milky liquid called barium before they take X-rays of your stomach. This drink coats your digestive system and makes problems like ulcers show up more clearly.