How To Test For Stomach Ulcers

What Ulcer Treatments Are Available

If your ulcer is bleeding, your doctor may treat it during an endoscopy procedure by injecting medications into it. Your doctor could also use a clamp or cauterization to seal it off and stop the bleeding.

For most people, doctors treat ulcers with medications, including:

• Proton pump inhibitors : These drugs reduce acid, which allows the ulcer to heal. PPIs include Prilosec®, Prevacid®, Aciphex®, Protonix® and Nexium®.
• Histamine receptor blockers : These drugs also reduce acid production and include Tagamet®, Pepcid®, Zantac® and Axid®.
• Antibiotics: These medications kill bacteria. Doctors use them to treat H. pylori.
• Protective medications: Like a liquid bandage, these medications cover the ulcer in a protective layer to prevent further damage from digestive acids and enzymes. Doctors commonly recommend Carafate® or Pepto-Bismol®.

Check For Peptic Ulcers In Just 10 Minutes With Our Accurate Easy To Use Home Test

Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach and duodenum and in up to 90% of cases, they are due to an infection by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori . The infection causes inflammation and acid erosion of the lining of the stomach to form ulcers that can result in anaemia and other serious side effects if untreated. UlcerScreen identifies IgG antibodies to H.pylori that result from the infection and indicate the presence of stomach and/or duodenal ulcers currently or in the recent past.

The UlcerScreen test kit has been designed for use a home and no previous experience or training is necessary. The test takes just 10 minutes. A small finger-prick blood sample is taken with a sterile lancet provided in the kit. The blood sample is then transferred to the UlcerScreen test cassette using the micropipette provided, and after the addition of six drops of buffer solution the result is shown in 10 minutes. A positive result is given if IgG antibodies to H.pylori are detected.

The summary below shows you how easy it is to take your finger-prick blood sample, run the test and then interpret your results.

Everything you need to perform the test is provided in the kit:

• Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions
• A test cassette and diluent dropper bottle
• Two sterile lancets and micropipettes
• An alcohol swab to sterilise your finger

What If I Still Need To Take Nsaids

If you take NSAIDs for other conditions, such as arthritis, you should talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using NSAIDs. Your doctor can help you determine how to continue using an NSAID safely after your peptic ulcer symptoms go away. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine used to prevent NSAID-induced ulcers called Misoprosotol.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Your doctor can then decide if you may safely take NSAIDs or if you should switch to a different medicine. In either case, your doctor may prescribe a PPI or histamine receptor blocker to protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum.

If you need NSAIDs, you can reduce the chance of a peptic ulcer returning by

• taking the NSAID with a meal
• using the lowest effective dose possible
• avoiding alcohol

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Stomach Ulcer Type To Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

Know whether you are more slanted to get stomach ulcers.People belonging t any age group are susceptible to stomach ulcers, however the chances of occurance are high among these types of people.

• People polluted by the H. pylori bacterium.
• People who routinely take non-steroidal smoothing drugs (Nsaids, for instance, naproxen. Ibuprofen or aspirin,
• People with a family history of ulcers.
• People who routinely drink alcohol.
• People who have illnesses or afflictions joined with the liver, kidney, or lung.
• People more settled than 50 years of age.

Alternative And Complementary Therapies

Certain lifestyle changes can help you recover from an ulcer.

• Watch your diet. If you know that there are specific foods that make your ulcer feel worse, avoid them until your treatment is over. For many people, these include alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, spicy foods, and chocolate.
• Stop smoking. If you smoke, you are already at increased risk of getting an ulcer. The data also shows that ulcers take longer to heal in smokers and that the ulcer medication you are taking may be less effective. Scientists don’t know exactly why smoking has these negative effects.
• Take pain medication carefully. NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and many other commonly taken drugs, are taken for pain and fever, but can cause an ulcer if used too often. NSAIDs can also prevent an ulcer from healing as quickly as you would like, so talk to your doctor about what you can take for your other aches and pains while you are waiting for your ulcer to heal. Acetaminophen does not cause ulcers, so it may be an effective substitute. Also, be sure to read all drug labels some cough and cold liquids have NSAID ingredients in them, and you should avoid them, too.
• Cut back on alcohol. Stop drinking alcohol if you want to completely reduce your risk of additional ulcers and help your body heal.

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Medical History Physical Exam And Tests To Look For Bleeding

When taking your medical history, the doctor will ask about your symptoms and possible risk factors to see if they might suggest stomach cancer or another cause. The physical examcan give your doctor information about possible signs of stomach cancer or other health problems. In particular, the doctor will feel your belly for anything abnormal.

The doctor might order a blood test to look for anemia , which could be caused by the cancer bleeding into the stomach. A test might also be done to look for blood in your stool that can’t be seen by the naked eye, which could also be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.

If your doctor thinks you might have stomach cancer or another type of stomach problem, he or she will likely refer you to a gastroenterologist , who will examine you and might do further testing.

Signs And Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers

Many people with peptic ulcers don’t have any signs, but upper abdominal pain is the most common symptom.

• Extend from your navel up to your breastbone
• Feel worse when your stomach is empty
• Feel better temporarily when you eat certain foods or take an antacid
• Get worse at night
• Come and go for days or weeks

Other symptoms of peptic ulcers may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting of red or dark blood
• Feeling bloated or full
• Bloody, black, or tar-like stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in your appetite

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What Is The Cause Of 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
• Alcohol
• 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.

What Is Being Tested

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that is known to be a major cause of peptic ulcers, which are sores on the lining of the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. H. pylori testing detects an infection of the digestive tract caused by the bacteria to help diagnose the cause of symptoms and/or ulcers.

H. pylori infections of the digestive tract are very common, with as many as half of the worlds population infected. However, most people with H. pylori never have any symptoms. Still, H. pylori infection increases the risk of developing ulcers , persistent stomach inflammation , and gastric cancer. The bacteria decrease the stomachs ability to produce mucus, making the stomach prone to damage from digestive acid and peptic ulcers.

A few different types of H. pylori testing are available, such as a stool antigen test and a breath test. Some are less invasive than others.

How is the sample collected for testing?

The sample collected depends on the test ordered:

• For the urea breath test, a health care professional collects an initial sample of your breath by having you breathe into a bag. You are given a liquid to drink containing a substance called urea. Another breath sample is collected after a specific amount of time has elapsed.
• For the stool antigen test, a stool sample is collected in a clean container.

Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?

For the breath test, you may be instructed to refrain from taking certain medications:

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What Causes Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers form when digestive juices damage the walls of the stomach or small intestine. If the mucus layer gets too thin or your stomach makes too much acid, your gut will feel it. The two major causes are:

• Bacteria. Itâs called Helicobacter pylori , and as many as half of us carry it. Most people infected with H. pylori do not get ulcers. But in others, it can raise the amount of acid, break down the protective mucus layer, and irritate the digestive tract. Experts arenât sure how H. pylori infection spreads. They think it may pass from person to person through close contact, like kissing. You may also get it from unclean food and water.
• Certain pain relievers. If youâve been taking aspirin often and for a long time, youâre more likely to get a peptic ulcer. The same is true for other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They include ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs block your body from making a chemical that helps protect the inner walls of your stomach and small intestine from stomach acid. Other types of pain meds, such as acetaminophen, wonât lead to peptic ulcers.
• Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol also can make you more likely to get ulcers. Stress and eating a lot of spicy food donât cause ulcers, as experts once thought. But they can make ulcers worse and harder to treat.

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:

• perforation
• bleeding
• obstruction

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.

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Other Causes And Factors

Other causes are rare. For example, some viral infections can cause a stomach ulcer. Crohn’s disease may cause a stomach ulcer in addition to other problems of the gut.

Stomach cancer may at first look similar to an ulcer. Stomach cancer is uncommon but may need to be ‘ruled out’ if you are found to have a stomach ulcer.

Positron Emission Tomography Scan

A PET scan can be useful to help determine the extent of the cancer in the body. For this test, you are injected with a slightly radioactive form of sugar, which collects mainly in cancer cells. A special camera is then used to create a picture of areas of radioactivity in the body. The picture is not detailed like a CT or MRI scan, but a PET scan can look for possible areas of cancer spread in all areas of the body at once.

Many newer machines can do both a PET and CT scan at the same time . This lets the doctor see areas that âlight upâ on the PET scan in more detail.

Although PET scans can be useful for finding areas of cancer spread, they arenât always helpful in certain kinds of stomach cancer because some types donât take up much of the radioactive sugar.

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Stomach Ulcer Symptoms: Check For Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcer

How to check for stomach ulcer symptoms at home? An ulcer is a sore that forms on the skin or mucus membranes of the body. Ulcers that occur in the stomach or little inner parts are known as a peptic ulcers. A peptic ulcer found in the stomach is also known as a gastric ulcer. Ulcers may be caused by lifestyle variables like diet and stress, or an excess measure of stomach acids. Regardless, the lions offer is caused by a malady caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori . Ulcer symptoms are extreme for some people and smooth for others. Occasionally ulcers are asymptomatic, critics a person who has them experiences no symptoms whatsoever.

What Are The Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers

Each persons symptoms may vary. In some cases ulcers dont cause any symptoms.

The most common ulcer symptom is a dull or burning pain in your belly between your breastbone and your belly button . This pain often occurs around meal times and may wake you up at night. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours.

Less common ulcer symptoms may include:

• Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
• Burping
• Bloody or black stool
• Vomiting blood

Peptic ulcer symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

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Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy And Biopsy

In an upper GI endoscopy, a gastroenterologist, surgeon, or other trained health care professional uses an endoscope to see inside your upper GI tract. This procedure takes place at a hospital or an outpatient center.

An intravenous needle will be placed in your arm to provide a sedative. Sedatives help you stay relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. In some cases, the procedure can be performed without sedation. You will be given a liquid anesthetic to gargle or spray anesthetic on the back of your throat. The doctor will carefully feed the endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum. A small camera mounted on the endoscope sends a video image to a monitor, allowing close examination of the lining of your upper GI tract. The endoscope pumps air into your stomach and duodenum, making them easier to see.

The doctor may perform a biopsy with the endoscope by taking a small piece of tissue from the lining of your esophagus. You wont feel the biopsy. A pathologist examines the tissue in a lab.

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. Don’t 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.

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How Are Stomach Ulcers Treated

If you have a stomach ulcer, you may be given:

• a combination of antibiotic medicines to eradicate the Helicobacter pylori bacteria if it is present
• medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces, such as proton pump inhibitors

Some people have one of these treatments, while some have both.

If you have a stomach ulcer that was caused by taking anti-inflammatory medications, do not stop these without talking to your doctor first.

To help manage symptoms, you can also:

• stop smoking
• eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and make sure there is enough iron in your diet
• avoid foods that make symptoms worse, such as fatty meals, alcohol, tomatoes, spicy foods, coffee, chocolate or hot drinks
• lose weight if you are overweight
• take an antacid

Nsaid Drugs And Stomach Ulcers

A group of painkillers known as NSAIDs carries a risk of stomach ulcers. The two best-known NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.

The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses, or regularly for a long time.

Stronger NSAIDs, such as those that need a prescription, are riskier for stomach ulcers than those that can be bought over-the-counter .

People should always check labels and talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns with using painkillers. They may recommend an alternative such as acetaminophen.

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