How To Treat An Ulcer In Your Esophagus

What Are The Types Of Ulcer

TYPES OF ULCERS are:

Causes Of An Esophageal Ulcer

Esophageal ulcers can be caused by:

• GERD . This condition occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. It’s the most common cause of esophageal ulcers.

• Infection of the esophagus. This is caused by certain types of fungus and bacteria. It’s also caused by viruses such as herpes simplex virus 1 or cytomegalovirus .

• Irritants that damage the esophagus. These include cigarette smoke, alcohol, lye, and certain medicines.

• Certain types of treatments done on the esophagus. These include chemotherapy and radiation.

• Excessive vomiting.

What Are The Early Symptoms Of An Ulcer

The early symptoms of ulcers may vary from one person to another. In general, the notable symptoms are as follows:

• Having a burning sensation and pain in the stomach. It is mainly due to stomach acid which makes the condition worse in the stomach. The pain can be reduced by eating certain foods and acid-reducing medicines.
• Intolerance to fatty foods

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Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers

You may not have symptoms straightaway with an ulcer. Youre more likely to have a so-called silent ulcer if you are male, older, smoke, or are taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.

If you do have symptoms, a common one is abdominal pain or discomfort. You may also have pain in the middle of your back. If you have a duodenal ulcer , the pain tends to come on a couple of hours after a meal. Generally, it goes away when you eat again. You may also have pain that wakes you up at night when you have an empty stomach.

A gastric ulcer generally causes pain shortly after eating. Lying flat may relieve it. An oesophageal ulcer may cause abdominal or lower chest pain and make it difficult to swallow.

Indigestion is often a sign of a peptic ulcer. You may:

• feel or be sick
• burp
• have heartburn when the contents of your stomach go back up your oesophagus

Some symptoms may mean you have peptic ulcer complications. Or they can be caused by another medical condition, including cancer. You should see your GP urgently if you:

• are losing weight without dieting
• see blood in your vomit or your poo looks black and tar-like
• are very tired, as this may be caused by anaemia
• have trouble swallowing
• feel full soon after youve started eating

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:

• Blood in stool
• Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Increasing pain
• 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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Causes Of Esophageal Ulcer

The bottom of the esophagus has a valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter. The valve is generally closed which prevents the stomach acid from flowing back to the esophagus. Whenever the food passes through the food pipe and reaches the stomach, this valve relaxes so that the food rushes into the stomach. During the repeated inflammation of the mucous walls, the valve might get weakened. This might result in the leak of the acid into the food pipe that triggers a burning sensation in the chest. This medical condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease . Cigarette smoking damages the lower esophageal sphincter thus, allowing more acid to damage the walls of the esophagus.

GERD is the most common cause of the esophageal ulcers. However, other bacterial or fungal infections in the esophagus leading to vomiting can also be a reason for esophageal ulcers. Consumption of alcohol can also cause or worsen ulcerations. The following foods and beverages are known to trigger heartburn in people thus, causing inflammation to the walls of the esophagus:

• Beverages containing alcohol

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

If you have stomach ulcers, you may want to ask your doctor:

• What pain reliever can I use instead of an NSAID?
• How will I know if the H. pylori infection is gone?
• How do we find out if the ulcer has healed?
• What can I do relieve symptoms at home during treatment?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Contrary to commonly held beliefs, ulcers arent caused by stress or foods you eat. Most of time, bacteria causes them. Doctors can treat the bacteria with antibiotics and other medications.

If youve been popping a lot of antacids lately, youre constantly snacking to get rid of a gnawing pain in your stomach or you have any other signs of an ulcer, the best thing you can do for your health is talk to your provider. Treatment can heal an ulcer in a matter of weeks.

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What Is The Treatment For Throat Ulcers

As soon as the symptoms of possible throat ulcers appear, the affected person must seek medical attention and diagnosis. The aim of the treatment is to relieve the pain and swelling, which is commonly done with anti-inflammatory medications. The treatment may vary depending on the initial cause of throat ulcers. For instance, if the ulcers result from bacterial infection, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Patients can also do a lot to ease their discomfort at home. Generally, the symptoms of throat ulcers can be eased with warm saline water throat gargles. It is advised to drink plenty of clear fluids and consume thicker fluids like soups and shakes instead of solid food to make swallowing easier. Spicy foods and those containing salts and chemicals should be limited since such foods make the symptoms of throat ulcers worse.

Bad breath can be managed with frequent and thorough cleaning of the teeth and tongue. Throat ulcers can never be completely be prevented, but some proactive measures may help reduce your risk of this uncomfortable problem. A person should eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals that will boost the immune system in order to avoid infections. It is also recommended to avoid smoking and alcohol, and steps that reduce infections, like not kissing someone with active herpes sores, can also help.

When Should I Go To The Doctor For An Ulcer

Ulcers are the open sores that develop in the stomach lining. It starts with symptoms that are mild initially but may get serious or fatal if left untreated.

The most common symptoms are dull and burning pain in the stomach followed by bloating and burping, nausea and vomiting, weight loss with or without loss of appetite, feeling of weakness or anemia and sudden acute pain that persists for a longer duration.

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What Causes Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers occur when the layer that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, which allows the stomach lining to become damaged.

This is usually a result of:

• an infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria
• taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin particularly if they’re taken for a long time or at high doses

It used to be thought that stress or certain foods might cause stomach ulcers, but there’s little evidence to suggest this is the case.

Read more about the causes of stomach ulcers.

What Are The Common Side Effects Of Ulcer Medication

All medications may produce side effects, and side effects will vary depending on the type of medication. This is not a complete list of possible side effects, so consult with a healthcare professional about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your specific situation.

Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are relatively safe medications available in prescription and over-the-counter formulations. The most commonly experienced side effects are digestive system problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. H2 blockers can also affect the central nervous system, so headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness are often experienced.

Proton pump inhibitors can reduce the absorption of calcium in the body, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Patients will often be prescribed or recommended calcium supplements to take along with proton pump inhibitors. Other serious side effects of proton pump inhibitors may include kidney disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, and diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile infection.

The most serious side effects of H2 blockers are related to their effects on the central nervous system. These side effects may include delirium, hallucinations, extreme drowsiness, and slurred speech.

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Best Natural Remedies For Healing Esophagus Damage After Acid Reflux

Hydrochloric acid is produced inside the stomach to aid in digestion, a process through which the food you eat is broken down into the different component nutrients. However, some people suffer from recurrent acid reflux where stomach acids travel up to the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. While some conventional treatments are recommended for this condition, it is advisable to seek for a long term solution. Besides medical treatment, why not also try natural treatment options. This discussion explores ways how to heal esophagus naturally.

Diet For Esophageal Ulcer

Although, there is no strict diet for esophageal ulcer but one should have food which minimizes the acid reflux in the body and this might be helpful to manage the symptoms. One should always consult a doctor when in doubt about planning the diet if suffering from esophageal ulcer. Researches show that a high fiber diet can help in prevention of esophageal ulcers. A very high fiber content diet decreases the possibility of getting infected from esophageal ulcer tremendously. Foods that have a very high content of soluble fiber include oats, legumes, barley, flax seeds, nuts, and some vegetables and fruits, like apples, oranges and carrots help in prevention of inflammation of the gastric tract.

Research has shown that Vitamin A promotes the secretion of mucus inside the gastrointestinal tract. Impaired defense of the mucosal membrane help the ulcers to grow. Hence, vitamin A may help in protecting the esophagus from developing ulcer disease. The good sources of Vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, broccoli, spinach, kale and collard greens.

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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider

See your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:

• Vomiting blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds
• Extreme weakness or dizziness
• Blood in your stools
• Nausea or vomiting that doesnt get better, or gets worse
• A sudden, severe pain that may spread to your back
• Losing weight without even trying

Untreated peptic ulcers may cause other health problems. Sometimes they bleed. If they become too deep, they can break through your stomach.

Ulcers can also keep food from going through your stomach.

What Are The Long Term Effects Of Ulcers

The ulcers, when left untreated for a long time, can lead to the following situations:

• Bleeding: Patients may experience internal bleeding and blood loss, leading to anemia and blood in vomiting or stools. This may require hospitalization or transfusion.
• Infection: The ulcer when left untreated can perforate through the walls of the stomach or small intestine and can cause serious infection in the abdominal cavity region.
• It can lead to the blockage of the passage of the food via the digestive tract and thus can lead to symptoms of vomiting, nausea, weight loss, swelling in the intestine, etc.

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You Cannot Always Prevent Mouth Ulcers

Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things you can try to avoid, such as:

• biting the inside of your cheek
• badly fitting dentures, braces, rough fillings or a sharp tooth
• cuts or burns while eating or drinking for example, hard food or hot drinks
• a food intolerance or allergy
• damaging your gums with a toothbrush or irritating toothpaste
• feeling tired, stressed or anxious

Sometimes they’re triggered by things you cannot always control, such as:

• hormonal changes such as during pregnancy
• your genes some families get mouth ulcers more often
• a long-term condition such as inflammatory bowel disease , coeliac disease or Behçet’s disease
• a vitamin B12 or iron deficiency
• medicines including some NSAIDs, beta blockers or nicorandil
• stopping smoking people may develop mouth ulcers when they first stop smoking

Page last reviewed: 19 January 2021 Next review due: 19 January 2024

How To Recognize Gerd

GERD is a plumbing problem. It starts at the bottom of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.

When the valve at the bottom of your esophagus doesnt close properly, acid backs up and causes a painful burning sensation in your chest and throat. When youve got GERD, acid is coming back up and bathing your esophagus, instead of staying in the stomach where its supposed to be, says Dr. Brocato. That gives you a sensation of food coming up and irritation in your throat.

GERD is very common. According to the National Institutes of Health, it affects about 20% of Americans.

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Check If You Have A Mouth Ulcer

You may have more than 1 ulcer at a time and they can change in size.

Mouth ulcers are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores.

Cold sores appear on the lips or around the mouth and often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation.

If you have several mouth ulcers, this can be a symptom of:

• hand, foot and mouth disease, which also causes a rash on the hands and feet
• oral lichen planus, which causes a white, lacy pattern inside the cheeks
• Crohn’s and coelic disease
• a weakened immune system from having a condition like HIV or lupus

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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Duration Of Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori heal when the bacteria is killed. The typical course of treatment includes two weeks of antibiotics along with acid-suppressing medicine. This is followed by an additional four to eight weeks of the acid-suppressing medicine alone.

Its possible for an ulcer to heal temporarily without antibiotics, but it will likely recur or another one will form nearby if the bacteria is not killed.

Peptic ulcers caused by medication usually heal shortly after you stop taking the medication. Doctors typically recommend taking antacids for two to six weeks to assist with healing and relieve pain.