Friday, March 29, 2024

What Happens If You Have An Ulcer

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Fast Facts On Throat Ulcers:

Bleeding Ulcer Symptoms And Causes – How To Know If You Have A Bleeding Stomach Ulcer
  • Treatment and management of throat ulcers will depend on what is causing them.
  • Prognosis is typically good, especially for those who take their medications and follow their recommended diets.
  • The pain caused by the ulcers can lead to a range of symptoms, such as difficulty eating, drinking, chewing, swallowing, or talking.
  • ear pain
  • Diagnosis

In the first instance, doctors will do a physical exam and evaluate a persons symptoms. They may then need to take throat cultures, using mouth swabs. Sometimes blood tests and urine tests may be required.

However, diagnosis of throat ulcers will depend on the suspected cause of the condition and may include:

Ulcers found in the throat may be related to or caused by:

  • certain chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
  • bacterial infections
  • fungal infections such as thrush, which is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans
  • viral infections, such as herpangina , and hand, foot and mouth disease, which are caused by Coxsackie A virus.
  • conditions such as Behçets syndrome, which is an inflammatory disease that causes ulcers to form in the mouth, genitals, and other areas of the body
  • cancer

Ulcers found in the esophagus may be related to or caused by conditions such as:

Ulcers or granulomas found on the voice box may be related to or caused by conditions such as:

In some cases, simple lifestyle modifications may be all that is necessary, and these will be discussed in the section below.

Treatment of throat ulcers may include:

What Drink Is Good For Ulcers

You have probably heard that cranberry juice is good for preventing and treating ulcers. But what about other drinks, like coffee, tea, or wine?

Its no secret that something in the modern diet is causing a lot of stomach issues. Our modern diet is way different than what our grandparents ate and its no wonder.

We eat fast food daily, all kinds of preservatives and artificial additives, and, most importantly, we eat way too much! Of all of the things that could be affecting your stomach, its probably too much of one thing.

How To Treat Ulcers

Ulcers are easier to treat usually with antacids and antibiotics. There are also several other drugs that reduce the amount of acids produced by the stomach. A person suffering from ulcers should consult a physician. Ulcers if left untreated can lead to serious illnesses like anemia and stomach carcinoma.

Most of the ulcers are treated using various medications and in some cases, surgical procedure is required. Antibiotics may be used to eradicate H.pylori whereas anti-ulcer medications are used to inhibit the acid secretions and heal ulcers.

In cases of bleeding or perforated ulcers, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy may be performed and surgery is recommended. Your physician may advise to quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption and avoid overuse of NSAID’s to prevent the development of ulcers.

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Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

If a peptic ulcer is treated, the outcome is usually very good, and complications arent very common. But if you havent had any treatment, or your ulcer has gone unnoticed for a while, complications may develop. Theres a particular risk if youre older and if youre taking medicines that stop your blood clotting, such as aspirin or warfarin. Complications include:

  • bleeding
  • perforation
  • obstruction

The most common of these is bleeding, especially if your ulcer is linked to NSAIDs. It happens if your ulcer grows into any underlying arteries or veins . If your ulcer is bleeding, you may:

  • throw up blood this can be bright red, or dark like coffee grounds
  • pass poo that is black and sticky
  • develop iron deficiency anaemia, if youve been losing blood for some time

You should get urgent medical help if you have any of these symptoms. The surgeon may be able to stop the bleeding using an endoscope rather than open surgery. Its also possible to treat bleeding with a high dose of PPIs. Less commonly, you may need emergency surgery, but this can depend on how much blood youve lost.

If your ulcer eats through the lining of your stomach or duodenum, you may develop perforation. Perforation means the ulcer has broken through the wall of your stomach or duodenum, causing inflammation of your abdominal lining and a potentially serious infection. Your stomach will feel rigid and sore. You should go to hospital if you think this has happened as you may need emergency surgery.

Other Causes And Factors

Eating Makes Ulcer Feel Better

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.

Recommended Reading: What Foods Should Be Avoided With Stomach Ulcers

What Are The Symptoms Of A Peptic Ulcer

Youâll most likely feel a burning pain or discomfort between your belly button and breastbone. You might especially notice it on an empty stomach — such as between meals or at night. The pain may stop for a little while if you eat or take an antacid, but then return. The pain can last for a few minutes or a few hours, and may come and go for many days or weeks.

Other symptoms may include:

Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. But if you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor.

What Causes A Stomach Ulcer

It is commonly said that spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers but that is not the case at all. Stress and spicy foods can aggravate a stomach ulcer but most of the time stomach ulcers are caused by an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, also known as H.Pylori.

Other times ulcers are brought on by the long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and Aleve. Always use these over the counter drugs sparingly and consult your physician for alternate pain management solutions.

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How Do You Know If An Ulcer Is Bleeding

An ulcer is a condition that may be symptomatic in some cases while in most cases it is asymptomatic. In such cases, there is an unnoticeable slow bleeding in the gut which produces signs of anaemia, evident from the symptoms like pale skin colour, breathlessness due to physical activity, fatigue etc.

Heavy bleeding is evident as black and sticky stool, presence of dark red colour blood in the stool and bloody vomits with coffee grounds consistency.

A Feeling Of Wooziness

Do Stomach Ulcers Go Away On Their Own And What Happens If Left Untreated

On occasion, the person may experience a little more run down when engaging in exercises or exerting extra hard work. Perhaps the person feels an unusual feeling of wooziness especially when stands hurriedly after a long sit.

All these may be accompanied by a sense of fatigue which is often blamed on too much work performed by the person. The individual will be remarkably in distress, thinking it may be due to different sort of situations.

Only when the person visits a doctor for help will he be able to point clues about the problem. Stomach ulcer may be identified and can be drawn based on history of heartburns, diet, activities, and excessive intake of drugs which may be possibly taken by the person to help reduce aches of the body when feeling fatigue.

Also Check: What Do I Take For An Ulcer

How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better

If you take all medicines as prescribed and avoid irritating the ulcer with NSAIDs, alcohol or smoking, your ulcer should heal well within a few weeks. Surgical cases may take a few weeks more. Your healthcare provider will follow up with you at the end of your course of medication to make sure the ulcer has healed and any infection has cleared. They will probably take follow-up tests, including an upper endoscopy to look at the site of the ulcer and tests for H. pylori, if you had it, to make sure the infection is gone.

How Common Are Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers are very common in Western countries. In the United States, there are about 4 million cases per year. Some estimates say that 1 in 10 people will have one at some point in their lives. Thats because many of the causes that contribute to stomach ulcers are common in Western life. Fortunately, these causes are usually easy to trace and to reverse, giving ulcers a chance to heal and your stomach lining a chance to repair.

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What Tests Diagnose A Peptic Ulcer

To confirm a person has an ulcer a diagnostic imaging test will usually be ordered. The two most widely used tests are:

  • Upper GI series : This is a type of X-ray. The patient is given a chalky liquid to drink that increases the contrast on the X-ray, making certain features easier to see. Because this liquid contains barium, this test is sometimes called a barium swallow.
  • Endoscopy : An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end. The patient is given a mild sedative, and then the tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach. The doctor can see the lining of the stomach to diagnose a peptic ulcer. Tiny samples of the tissue will be taken , which are examined under a microscope.

If a diagnostic imaging test reveals an ulcer, the patient will most likely have a test to see if H pylori bacteria are present.

  • It is important to be certain about this, because treatment of the H pylori is likely to heal the ulcer.
  • Ulcers caused by H pylori are treated differently than ulcers caused by medications.

Three types of tests are available to detect H pylori.

Is Benadryl Bad For Ulcers

Foods to Avoid if You Have a Stomach Ulcer

4.6/5diphenhydramineulcersin-depth answer

Side Effects. Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures.

Secondly, can antihistamines cause stomach ulcers? In some people, however, stomach acid can cause ulcers either because of elevated amounts or a sensitivity that makes even regular levels problematic. Many doctors treat it by prescribing antihistamines. If you can block the histamine receptor with medication an antihistamine, then you can reduce the acid secretion.

Similarly, you may ask, is Benadryl good for ulcers?

The anti-inflammatory benefits of Benadryl help speed healing, while the milk of magnesia coats the canker sore and neutralizes acid in the mouth, helping reduce pain.

Can Benadryl aggravate acid reflux?

May cause a dry mouth, which may increase the risk of dental caries and worsen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease if diphenhydramine is used on a regular basis. Overdosage of diphenhydramine has been associated with hallucinations, convulsions, and death.

Examples of medications that may interact with Benadryl include:

  • antidepressants.

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When To Seek Medical Advice

You should visit your GP if you think you may have a stomach ulcer.

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • vomiting blood the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds
  • passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
  • a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse

These could be a sign of a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.

What Tests Will Be Done To Diagnose A Peptic Ulcer

Endoscopy. An upper endoscopy exam is expedient because allows healthcare providers to see inside your digestive tract and also take a tissue sample to analyze in the lab. The test is done by passing a thin tube with a tiny camera attached down your throat and into your stomach and duodenum. Youll have medication to numb your throat and help you relax during the test. Your healthcare provider may use the endoscope to take a tissue sample to test for signs of mucous damage, anemia, H. pylori infection or malignancy. If they take a sample, you wont feel it.

Imaging tests. Imaging tests to look inside the stomach and small intestine include:

  • Upper GI series. An upper GI X-ray exam examines the stomach and duodenum through X-rays. Its less invasive than an endoscopy. For the X-ray, youll swallow a chalky fluid called barium, which will coat your esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The barium helps your digestive organs show up better in black and white images.
  • CT scan. Your healthcare provider might recommend a CT scan if they need to see your organs in more detail. A CT scan can show complications such as a perforation in the stomach or intestinal wall. For the test, youll lie on a table inside a scanner machine while X-rays are taken. You may drink or have an injection with contrast fluid to make your organs show up better in images.

Tests for H. pylori. Your healthcare provider might want to test you separately for H. pylori infection. Tests may include:

Read Also: Symptoms Of Crohn’s Vs Ulcerative Colitis

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers

Stomach pain is the most common sign of an ulcer. It usually feels like sharp aches between the breastbone and the belly button. This pain often comes a few hours after eating. It can also happen during the night or early in the morning, when the stomach is empty. Eating something or taking acid suppressor medicine sometimes eases the pain.

Other symptoms of ulcers can include:

  • loss of appetite
  • burping or hiccupping a lot
  • weight loss
  • vomiting
  • bloody or blackish bowel movements

Anyone who thinks they might have an ulcer needs to see a doctor. An ulcer thats not treated can grow larger and deeper. This can lead to other problems, such as bleeding in the digestive system or a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum, which can make someone very sick.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Mouth Ulcer

Do I have a stomach ulcer?

Mouth ulcers are easy to spot. They usually appear as sores on your lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks or roof of the mouth. While red around the edges, mouth ulcers are typically white, yellow or gray in the center. You may only develop one ulcer, or there might be more. Other symptoms could include:

  • Swelling around the ulcer.
  • Increased soreness when brushing your teeth.
  • Pain that worsens when eating spicy, salty or sour foods.

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When To See A Doctor

Anyone who thinks they may have an ulcer in their stomach should consult their doctor. Any stomach symptoms that last for more than a few days or keep happening need evaluation and treatment.

A slow-bleeding ulcer can be signaled by symptoms of anemia, such as being tired and breathless. More serious bleeding is an urgent medical problem and can be signaled if blood is vomited up, or stools are black and sticky.

Perforation, or a hole in the stomach, is also an emergency. Without quick treatment, the wall of the stomach can become infected. Sudden stomach pain that gets worse can indicate perforation, and any signs of being very unwell with infection need treatment as soon as possible.

Treatment For A Stomach Ulcer

Special diets are now known to have very little impact on the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers. Treatment options can include:

  • medication including antibiotics, to destroy the H. pylori colony, and drugs to help speed the healing process. Different drugs need to be used in combination some of the side effects can include diarrhoea and rashes. Resistance to some of these antibiotics is becoming more common
  • subsequent breath tests used to make sure the H. pylori infection has been treated successfully
  • changes to existing medication the doses of arthritis medication, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication can be altered slightly to reduce their contributing effects on the stomach ulcer.
  • reducing acid tablets are available to reduce the acid content in the gastric juices
  • lifestyle modifications including quitting cigarettes, since smoking reduces the natural defences in the stomach and impairs the healing process.

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How Do You Treat An Ulcer

An untreated ulcer can lead to serious problems — including the need for amputation. If you think you have an ulcer, see your doctor right away. The sooner you get treatment, the less likely you are to have another problem.

Your doctor will examine your skin and may take an X-ray to see if your ulcer has affected the nearest bone. In some cases, your doctor may use other tests to see if you have blood vessel disease.

Next, your doctor will treat your ulcer with a procedure called debridement. Here, the doctor removes unhealthy tissue from the wound to start the healing process. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as antibiotics, that you swallow or rub on the sore.

Talk to your doctor about how to care for your ulcer at home. You might need to:

  • Clean your ulcer daily with soap and water. Dont use hydrogen peroxide or soak your wound in a bath or whirlpool. This can discourage healing and increase your risk of infection.
  • Keep your ulcer bandaged or covered with a wound dressing. Your doctor may recommend specific bandaging steps. Airing out a wound increases your odds of infection and slows healing.
  • Apply medications such as saline, skin substitutes, and substances that make skin cells grow.
  • Take better care of other health problems, such as diabetes or vascular disease.
  • Keep pressure off your ulcer, especially if its on your foot.

You might need crutches, special footwear, a brace, or other devices to reduce pressure and irritation so your ulcer heals faster.

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