What Is A Stomach Ulcer
A stomach ulcer, also called a gastric ulcer, is an open sore that develops in your stomach lining. You can also get one in your duodenum, the first part of the small intestine that your stomach feeds into. Duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers are both types of peptic ulcers. Theyre named for pepsin, one of the digestive juices that are found in the stomach and that sometimes leak into the duodenum. These juices are a contributing factor in peptic ulcer disease.
Peptic ulcers occur when the protective mucous lining in your stomach and duodenum has been eroded, allowing gastric acids and digestive enzymes to eat away at your stomach and duodenal walls. This eventually results in open sores that are continually irritated by the acid. If left untreated, they can begin to cause serious complications, such as internal bleeding. Over time, they can even wear a hole all the way through. This is a medical emergency.
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.
Common Causes Of Esophagitis
First of all, the majority of cases of esophagitis are caused by the effects of gastroesophageal reflux.
The acidic fluid rises from the stomach up the esophagus. Therefore, it causes irritation in the tissues.
Some factors that may lead to this problem are:
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes,
- Prolonged use of medication,
Unfortunately, this condition can cause several complications. These include:
- Scarring or tightening of the esophagus,
- Tearing of the tissue covering the esophagus,
- Barretts Oesophagus, a condition which causes changes in the cells of the esophagus, which increases the risk of cancer.
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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.
What Is An Esophagus Ulcer
An esophagus ulcer is an open sore that forms on the lining of the esophagus, the tube that goes from the throat to the stomach. Some people who have an esophagus ulcer experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or chest pain. The most common causes are gastroesophageal reflux disease , anti-inflammatory medications, smoking, herpes, and human papillomavirus.
Patients with an esophagus ulcer often experience recurring problems. Over time, these ulcers can cause the esophagus to narrow, causing painful and difficult swallowing. Barrett’s esophagus can develop in patients who have recurring ulcers in the esophagus caused by GERD. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the lining of the esophagus changes, causing chest pain, heartburn, bloody vomit, and difficulty swallowing.
Esophagus ulcers are usually diagnosed by x-ray after the patient drinks a barium solution that allows the doctor to see the outline of the digestive tract clearly. Endoscopes, flexible tubes with a camera and a light, can also be inserted into the throat to look for ulcers. Once a patient is diagnosed, a doctor may check for GERD. GERD patients usually have to take medications and control their diet to help relieve symptoms.
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How Acid Reflux Damages The Esophagus And Possible Complications
How GERD May Damage the Esophagus
The acid regurgitation can lead to a condition called esophagitis. Esophagitis is characterized by inflammation of the esophagus that often leads to ulcers, scar tissue, erosions, and difficulty in swallowing that cause pain and discomfort and even more acid regurgitation.
The condition can be diagnosed by your doctor by conducting an upper endoscopy and biopsy. Treatment begins immediately once the diagnosis is conclusive and you test positive for esophagitis.
Complications of Untreated GERD and Esophagitis
GERD should be treated immediately it is suspected. When left untreated GERD and esophagitis will corrode the esophagus further causing damage such as:
- Esophageal stricture this is narrowing of the esophagus caused by scar tissues from the effects of GERD. This constriction causes a great deal of pain and difficulty in swallowing and sometimes food is caught in the throat. This poses a great health risk and needs treatment as soon as possible.
- Esophageal ringsthese are rings formed from abnormal folding of the tissue in the lining of the esophagus. These rings can constrict the esophagus causing difficulty in swallowing.
- Barretts esophagusthis is a condition resulting from damage of the cells in the esophagus overtime. This damage causes the cells in the esophagus to become similar to the cells in the stomach lining. The condition usually has no symptoms and poses a risk of esophageal cancer.
When To Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may want to call your healthcare provider right away:
- Fever of 100.4° F or higher
- Chills
- Severe belly pain
- Frequent nausea or vomiting that looks like bloody coffee grounds
- Dark, tarry, or bloody stools. Dark stools can be indicative of hemorrhage, or internal bleeding that is discoloring your stool.
Of note, mid-esophageal ulcers have a greater tendency to hemorrhage compared with ulcers at the gastroesophageal junction, but there is no way to know that based on your symptoms alone, so if you feel any chronic symptoms of chest pain, new or sudden belly or abdominal discomfort, or your heartburn is not relieved with medication seek immediate medical attention.
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Guarding Against Infection Of H Pylori
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Cure : Foods For Stomach Ulcers
Foods for Ulcer, Weird isnt it? Yes, foods could actually prevent/cure Stomach Ulcer. One could say the primary culprit in the case of stomach ulcers could be narrowed down to food and food habits. Eating certain foods such as foods that contain nitrates could fuel your infection. However, eating certain foods could also help you prevent and even cure your stomach ulcer.
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What If A Peptic Ulcer Doesn’t Heal
Most often, medicines heal a peptic ulcer. If an H. pylori infection caused your peptic ulcer, you should finish all of your antibiotics and take any other medicines your doctor prescribes. The infection and peptic ulcer will heal only if you take all medicines as your doctor prescribes.
When you have finished your medicines, your doctor may do another breath or stool test in 4 weeks or more to be sure the H. pylori infection is gone. Sometimes, H. pylori bacteria are still present, even after you have taken all the medicines correctly. If the infection is still present, your peptic ulcer could return or, rarely, stomach cancer could develop. Your doctor will prescribe different antibiotics to get rid of the infection and cure your peptic ulcer.
What Causes Gastro Esophageal Reflux In Dogs
Acid reflux in dogs or Gastro Esophageal Reflux can be caused by several factors. Knowledge of these causes will help in early noting of the symptoms. Here are the most common causes of acid reflux in dogs: Rare fragility in the lower esophageal sphincter. Poor positioning of your dog during surgery. Grains or legumes in dogs diet.
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How To Treat Throat Ulcers
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 192,835 times.
Throat ulcers often feel like a lump in your throat and cause pain while you’re swallowing. Although they’re uncomfortable, they’re also treatable! Throat ulcers can happen due to injuries, bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, or treatments for cancer. It’s important for your doctor to accurately identify the cause behind a throat ulcer so that you can get proper treatment. After conducting an exam, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the ulcer and manage your pain. How you treat your throat ulcer will depend on what’s causing them.
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What To Expect On The Day Of Surgery
When you go to your surgery appointment, you will register and sign a consent form. You may have some pre-operative testing before you go to the pre-surgical area. These tests may include a chest X-ray, CBC, blood chemistry panel, and a urine test.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will have your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen level checked.
If you are having stomach ulcer surgery for an emergency, like a perforation, your preparation will happen quickly. You will need to have IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion during this period.
Treatment Of Esophageal Ulcers
The treatment of esophageal ulcers depends on the cause. Treatment for most ulcers uses proton pump inhibitors , an acid-blocking medication. If you are diagnosed with an esophageal ulcer on endoscopy, you may need long-term treatment with PPI medication.
If the ulcer is bleeding, a provider can treat the bleeding during an endoscopy. They can do this by injecting the area with medication or applying heat to the area to stop the bleeding. They may also recommend that you avoid taking NSAIDs, especially if those medications caused the ulcer. If the ulcer is linked to an infection, your provider can recommend medications to treat that, too.
If you have had the typical symptoms of pill esophagitis after taking a pill, the treatment usually doesnt require an endoscopy. In such cases, where theres a clear link, the injury usually just needs time to heal.
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Here Are Some Simple But Effective Home Remedies For Gastritis:
1. Freeze It OutTake a glass of ice cold water, put two tablespoons of sugar, stir it really well and gulp it down. Repeat the process if you have to. This remedy is a quick fix and my personal favourite. A glass ice cold water helps to stabilise the body fluids. It is believed that cold water calms down the throat and chest burning. Therefore, drink a full glass of cold water and take a small walk. The acid rushing up to your throat will subside slowly.
A glass ice cold water helps to stabilise the body fluids
2. Nothing Like CoconutGet tender green coconut water and keep sipping it till your pain subsides and you can make it a habit to drink it every day too. But be sure the coconut water is not tangy as that can cause acid reflux. Coconut water is rich in fibre, which is why it helps aid digestion and prevents the re-occurrence of acidity. Moreover, coconut water is known to cool the lining of the stomach, which further reduces the burning sensation.
Coconut water aids digestion.
Ginger has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Sip Chamomile
Chamomile tea provides relief from sudden pains and helps to eliminate gas.
5. Papaya All the Way
Raw papaya is good for inflammation of the stomach.
6. Baking Soda And Water
7. Cabbage Juice
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Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcers
A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.
The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.
Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:
- dull pain in the stomach
- weight loss
- heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest)
- pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
- anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
- dark, tarry stools
- vomit thats bloody or looks like coffee grounds
Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they arent treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.
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Stomach Ulcer Remedies: 10 Ways To Heal And Reduce Inflammation
An ulcer is a kind of erosion or open sore on the surface of an organ or tissue. Ulcers generally occur in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum and are known as peptic ulcers.
Types of Peptic Ulcers
- Gastric ulcer: A peptic ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer.
- Duodenal ulcer: A duodenal ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer that develops in the first part of the small intestine .
- Esophageal ulcer: An esophageal ulcer develops in the lower part of the esophagus.
A peptic ulcer is among the most common forms of stomach disease. About 4 million Americans suffer from this condition every year.
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