Do I Have A Bleeding Ulcer

Mayo Clinic Q And A: How Is A Peptic Ulcer Treated

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Last year,I was diagnosed with heartburn due to a peptic ulcer. My doctor suggested that I see a specialist. Who should I see, and what type of treatment is available?

ANSWER: Many people will note that they have heartburn, and it is important to know that such a symptom could be related to one of several issues in the digestive tract, including peptic ulcer disease. This is where visiting with a health care professional who specializes in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract a gastroenterologist can help.

Once diagnosed and treated, ulcers usually heal within several months. But a gastroenterologist can help you find the underlying cause of your ulcer and decide on the best treatment going forward.

A peptic ulcer is an open sore on the inside lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers are not rare, and their frequency can depend on age, gender, other medical issues, medications and geography.

Its possible to have a peptic ulcer and not have any symptoms, although they may cause stomach pain. In some people, a peptic ulcer isnt identified until they experience symptoms related to a complication from an ulcer, such as bleeding or a hole in the lining of the stomach or bowel.

H. pylori is a bacterium that can live in the mucous layer covering the lining of the stomach. It doesnt always lead to health problems, but it can sometimes trigger inflammation of the stomachs inner layer, producing an ulcer.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bleeding Ulcer

Bleeding ulcers dont always cause pain. Sometimes the first signs of a bleeding ulcer are signs of anemia. These include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

You might have a heavier bleed if you notice:

• Blood in your poop, or black poop that resembles tar.

These symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Foods To Avoid With Stomach Ulcer

There are certain kinds of foods and drinks that you should exclude from your diet. They include the following:

1. Alcohol

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are not any good as you try to recover from stomach ulcers. Alcohol increases the acidity level in the stomach which in turn irritates the stomach lining and worsens the condition. The succinic and maleic acids present in most alcoholic drinks increase the secretion of gastric acids.

2. Coffee

It is a known fact that coffee contains caffeine, which together with other components in your coffee increases the production of gastric acids. Two compounds, catechols and N-alkanoly-5-hydroxytryptamides, stimulate the production of gastric acids that will irritate the ulcer lesions. And although coffee itself does not cause an ulcer, its intake aggravates the existing situation. Decaffeinated coffee should also be avoided.

3. Spicy Foods

An important point to note is that spicy foods do not cause stomach ulcers but incorporating them in your stomach ulcer diet may irritate the stomach lining and worsen the condition of the ulcers.

However, there is a twist to all these. It has been found that some chilies such as red capsicum and cayenne pepper contain a compound called capsaicin that may inhibit the secretion of gastric acids. Moreover, it stimulates secretion of mucus, alkali and mucosal blood that thicken the stomach lining, thus shielding it from irritation.

4. Red Meat

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Other Tips For Preventing Pressure Ulcer

1. Check the skin daily for any signs or symptoms of pressure ulcers. The patients can take the help of Bedside Wound Care Services for this. 2. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet that contains sufficient and enough protein with good sources of vitamins and minerals.3. Quit smoking. People who smoke are more prone to develop pressure ulcers due to the damage caused to blood circulation. 4. For repositioning, wheelchair push-ups are good where the person can raise their body off the seat by pushing on the arms of the chair. The use of cushions or special mattresses is also prescribed to release pressure and ensure a well-positioned body. Avoid doughnut cushions as they can put pressure on surrounding tissues.5. Ensure regular pressure ulcer dressings to avoid any type of infection and effective wound healing.

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Is Your Persistent Stomach Pain An Ulcer

Its normal to have a stomachache every now and then. Maybe you ate something that isnt agreeing with you or youre having a stressful day. These run-of-the-mill pains usually resolve on their own or with basic treatment.

But if you experience daily abdominal pain, or pain that comes and goes frequently, you could have a more serious problem, such as a peptic ulcer.

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Things You Should Know

• Go to your doctor if you’re experiencing bleeding ulcer symptoms like upper abdominal pain, nausea, and blood in your vomit or stool.
• Your doctor will prescribe medication that blocks acid production to heal the ulcer. Take the medication as directed.
• For serious bleeding ulcers, you may need to have a surgical procedure to close the ulcer and stop the bleeding.

What To Eat When You Have An Ulcer

You need to be very careful on what to eat when you have an ulcer, so that the condition does not get aggravated. You should be wise while it comes to choosing foods for yourself and avoiding those that will harm the stomach. This article provides some information on the same.

You need to be very careful on what to eat when you have an ulcer, so that the condition does not get aggravated. You should be wise while it comes to choosing foods for yourself and avoiding those that will harm the stomach. This article provides some information on the same.

Experiencing stomach ulcers or gastritis can be quite distressing with all the pain, discomfort, and food restrictions. An ulcer, also referred to as peptic ulcer, is a sore that is formed in the gastrointestinal tract due to a bacterial infection. The Helicobacter pylori bacteria, mainly responsible for this condition, attacks the inner lining of the digestive tract and causes damage. This leads to the eruption of sores, or ulcers, in the digestive tract lining.

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Grades Of Pressure Sores

If youve been bedridden for long enough, the areas of skin that are constantly in contact with the mattress or chair will start to discolour. This shows that the skin is in danger of ulcerating.

Pressure sores are graded to four levels, including:

• grade I skin discolouration, usually red, blue, purple or black
• grade II some skin loss or damage involving the top-most skin layers
• grade III necrosis or damage to the skin patch, limited to the skin layers
• grade IV necrosis or damage to the skin patch and underlying structures, such as tendon, joint or bone.

Complications Of Gastric Ulcers

Hemorrhage

Ulcer bleeding is the most common complication of gastric ulcer and is more common in the elderly and in those on anti-platelet agents or anticoagulants. Mild cases may present only with iron deficiency or anemia, and in more severe cases present with coffee ground vomiting, melena, hematemesis, fresh rectal bleeding and hemodynamic compromise.

Perforation

Ulcer perforation is increasing in frequency in the elderly population, probably due to the increase in NSAID use. Chest radiographs may show free gas under the diaphragm but it should be stressed that absence of free gas does not exclude perforation. The ulcer can penetrate into adjacent organs or may be spontaneously sealed off, which may not give rise to signs of peritoneal irritation.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Ulcers near the gastroduodenal junction may lead to gastric outlet obstruction, either by inducing local inflammation and swelling or by mechanical obstruction from scarring. Gastric outlet obstruction may present with weight loss, poor appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In severe obstruction, patients may have projectile vomiting and may not tolerate oral intake.

Marc S. Levine MD, in, 2008

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When Should I Call The Doctor

• sudden, sharp, lasting belly pain
• bloody or black bowel movements
• bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

These could be signs of a serious problem for a child whos had a peptic ulcer, such as:

If your child takes NSAIDs and shows signs of a peptic ulcer, get medical help right away. Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to more problems and, possibly, the need for surgery. But with quick treatment, almost all peptic ulcers can be cured.

Ulcers With Other Causes

study from 2012 , H. pylori and NSAIDs are the most prevalent causes of peptic ulcers. However, a newer review in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention states that ulcers without H. pylori infection or NSAID involvement are increasing.

The study, which took place in Thailand, suggests that other factors such as alcohol, other infections, medications, or diseases including stomach and intestinal cancer, may be to blame.

Quickly treating peptic ulcers, especially bleeding peptic ulcers, is the best way to avoid complications. If a person does not seek treatment for the ulcers, certain conditions can arise, such as:

• Severe internal bleeding: This can lead to hemorrhaging and is a medical emergency.
• Perforation: This is when the lining of the stomach splits open. This rare and severe complication can lead to stomach bacteria infecting the lining of the abdomen. This is called peritonitis.
• Gastric outlet obstruction: This is when a scarred or swollen stomach ulcer stops food from getting into the digestive system.

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Diagnosis Of Ulcers In Horses

If you suspect your horse has a gastric ulcer, make an appointment with your veterinarian. An ulcer can be serious, and sometimes fatal if medical attention is not given in time. Your medical professional will ask questions pertaining to his health history, look closely at his clinical signs, perform blood work, urinalysis, biochemistry profile, and other laboratory testing in order to rule out any other illnesses and come to a preliminary diagnosis.

Your doctor may perform specific diagnostic testing using enhanced diagnostic equipment. He may use a gastroscope, which is an approximately 2 meters-long endoscope into the stomach of your horse. This is currently the most accurate and definitive diagnostic test used to confirm the presence of a stomach ulcer or ulcers.

This test will confirm the specificities of the ulcers, such as size, severity, and precise location. Typically, ulcers are found in the upper portion of the organ however, ulcers can also be found in the lower section, including the duodenum. The ulcer will be classified between the areas of 0-4, with a 4 having severe lesions. He will communicate with you the extent of the ulcer and let you know the options for treatment.

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Bleeding Peptic Ulcer: Treatment

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum . Your ulcer is bleeding or at high risk of bleeding. This means that you need treatment right away. Treatment can include medicines. It may also include a procedure such as endoscopy, angiography, or surgery. Your provider will work with you to decide which treatments are best for you. Read on to learn more about each type of treatment.

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When Should You Call Or See A Doctor

If you think you have a stomach ulcer, call your doctor. Together you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options. If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a provider near you.

Its important to get a stomach ulcer taken care of because without treatment, ulcers and H. pylori can cause:

• bleeding from the ulcer site that can become life-threatening
• penetration, which occurs when the ulcer goes through the wall of the digestive tract and into another organ, such as the pancreas
• perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract
• obstruction in the digestive tract, which is due to swelling of inflamed tissues
• stomach cancer, specifically

Symptoms of these complications can include those listed below. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call you doctor right away:

Suspect You Have A Bleeding Ulcer

Dont ignore these symptoms they could prove fatal.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a bleeding ulcer early can be a lifesaver. You may be completely unaware you even have an ulcer because you are not experiencing any ulcer-related pains. For most ulcer sufferers, this may seem like a painless and easy situation to be in. But in fact, it is a potentially lethal problem!

Your own blood can become a dangerous painkiller..

When an ulcer starts bleeding, your blood neutralizes the stomach acid around the area of the ulcer, when this happens the neutralized stomach acid will not burn the raw areas around the ulcer. Basically, this means that you will not feel any pain. And, of course, this can present some serious problems.

If any of the following symptoms of a bleeding ulcer present themselves, we urge you to move swiftly towards getting treatment and make sure you tell your doctor about all the symptoms you have.

The symptoms of a bleeding ulcer

REMEMBER if you have been diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer or even if you have the slightest suspicion that you are bleeding from an ulcer, please do not hesitate to get emergency treatment away!

What causes ulcers to start bleeding?

As an ulcer grows it can start eroding into the muscles of the stomach or duodenal wall. On its path of destruction, blood vessels can be damaged with the result that they start bleeding.

Getting the right treatment

Endoscopy is currently the gold standard for treating bleeding ulcers.

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Honey Can Help Prevent Ulcers

Modern medicine has finally caught on to a folk remedy thats been used for centuries. Because honey fights bacteria, hospitals and clinics sometimes apply it to burns and other open wounds. For the same reason that it can help heal a skin ulcer, honey may help thwart H. pylori. Researchers from New Zealand tested honey made from the nectar of the Manuka flower on bacteria from biopsies of gastric ulcers and found that the honey inhibited bacterial growth. Other researchers have been successful in using other types of honey to halt the growth of H. pylori.

Recommended dose: Start by taking a tablespoon of honey in the morning and at night to calm a fiery belly. Spread it on toast or a cracker to keep it in the stomach longer. Because H. pylori is slow growing, be sure to keep up your honey regimen until ulcer symptoms are long gone.

Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in severe complications and emergencies.

• Internal bleeding You can have bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or duodenum when the ulcer opens a blood vessel. Ulcers can cause bleeding that occurs slowly over time or quickly, possibly resulting in hemorrhaging that can be life-threatening due to shock. Sometimes you may not notice a bleeding ulcer until you become anemic, a condition in which your body lacks red blood cells because of inadequate iron. This occurs when ulcers cause chronic, low-grade blood loss.
• A hole, or perforation, in the stomach wall You can develop a perforated ulcer, which means it has eaten through your stomach or intestinal wall.
• Obstruction This is when you have swelling or scarring related to your ulcer that is preventing your food from being digested properly.

The signs that you are having an ulcer emergency are:

• Mental confusion
• Severe abdominal distension

If you think you or someone you know is having an ulcer emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

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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 .

How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated

Treatment will depend on what caused the ulcer.

Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the amount of acid in their stomach.

Youll also need antibiotics if your ulcers were caused by a H. pylori infection.

Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.

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