How Do Doctors Diagnose A Stomach Ulcer
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history and any medications you may be taking. You may be asked to describe the stomach pain that you are feeling, for example, whether it is a dull pain or a sharp pain. If there is blood in your vomit or stool, this can also help them make an accurate diagnosis as these are common signs of stomach ulcers.
You might need tests like endoscopy, a procedure where they insert a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end through your stomach to see what is going on, or an upper gastrointestinal series where you swallow barium, called a barium swallow, and they take an X-ray of the stomach and digestive tract. The doctor may also perform an endoscopic biopsy where they take a tissue sample from your stomach and analyze it. Blood, stool, and breath tests are also common to test for the H. pylori bacterium to ensure it is not an H. pylori infection.
Cure : Supplements & Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcer
Home remedies and supplements, in this case, go hand in hand. Home remedies could provide instant relief from the pain and the symptoms. However, using the supplements on a long term basis could not only cure your stomach ulcer, but it could also promote digestive health, thereby preventing the occurrence of an ulcer.
How Is A Peptic Ulcer Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, whether you take NSAIDs and other drugs, and medical history. Theyâll also check you for bloating in the belly and pain. That may be enough to make a diagnosis.
The only way your doctor can tell for sure if you have an ulcer is to look. They may use a series of X-rays or a test called an endoscopy. This test allows them to pass a thin, bendy tube down your throat and into your stomach and small intestine. The tube has a camera at the end so they can check the lining for ulcers. They may also take a small piece of the lining to test for H. pylori. Blood, breath, and stool sample tests also can screen for the bacteria.
Read Also: Ulcer Pain Relief At Night
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers
Signs of a peptic ulcer include:
- most commonly, burning pain in the belly between the breastbone and the belly button
- nausea
- feeding problems
- blood in vomit or bowel movements, which may look dark red or black
If your child has any of these signs and symptoms, call your doctor. Many can be caused by other childhood illnesses, but should be reported to your doctor. Based on your childâs medical history and symptoms, the doctor may want your child to see a pediatric gastroenterologist. This is a doctor who treats problems of the stomach, intestines, and associated organs.
You May Like: Bowel Ulcers Signs And Symptoms
Can A Peptic Ulcer Come Back
Yes, a peptic ulcer can come back. If you smoke or take NSAIDs, peptic ulcers are more likely to come back. If you need to take an NSAID, your doctor may switch you to a different medicine or add medicines to help prevent a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcer disease can return, even if you have been careful to reduce your risk.
Don’t Miss: Does Ulcerative Colitis Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer
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.
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.
Also Check: Ozanimod Phase 2 Ulcerative Colitis
When To Contact A Doctor
Anyone who thinks they may have an ulcer in their stomach should consult a doctor. Any stomach symptoms that last for more than a few days or keep happening need evaluation and treatment.
Symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness and breathlessness, may signal a slow-bleeding ulcer. More serious bleeding is an urgent medical problem, as people may vomit up blood, or stools are black and sticky.
Perforation 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.
Effective And Natural Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcers
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
Stomach ulcers are becoming more prevalent due to changes in the human diet in the past few decades. What is a stomach ulcer? Also known as a peptic ulcer and gastric ulcer, it is a wound that develops in the stomach lining caused by stomach acid eating away at the lining due to either a lack of protective mucus, increased stomach acid levels, or both.
And, if you are dealing with one, you may be wondering if there is a stomach ulcer treatment at home or if there are any home remedies for stomach ulcers. Well, you are in luck, as we have some simple and effective remedies to treat your stomach ulcer symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Best Way To Prevent Pressure Ulcers
Stomach Ulcers Can Be Handled At Home But Be Careful
As you can see, there are many home remedies that can be used to care for the pain and damage that a stomach ulcer can cause. Although there are more remedies out there, we believe that the ones weve mentioned here are the best ones to help treat your ulcer.
But with that in mind, stomach ulcers can become a serious medical issue. If your ulcer isnt getting any better or if it gets worse while youre taking one of these home remedies, consult your doctor to make sure that everything is okay. He or she may recommend a more effective treatment depending on your condition.
Related Articles:
Donât Miss: How Can I Get Rid Of Gas In My Stomach
How Long Does It Take For A Stomach Ulcer To Heal
Its not that easy to treat a stomach ulcer.
There is no specific time limit and recurrences after treatment are frequent.
Each individuals reaction to medication is also very different, which is why it is impossible to define a healing time.
Its a long way to go but changing your diet by selecting beneficial foods and adding some targeted supplements can help you overcome this condition.
Try to be proactive and take action both to treat the ulcer and to prevent its recurrence.
This will save you time and comfort.
* Read more:
This article contains affiliate links echoing my recommendations.I use Amazons Partner Program, an affiliate program designed to pay commissions through amazon.com linksThis process does not affect my opinions in any way but each purchase helps this blog to live Marie
This blog is copyright ©2022 by gomedica.org. All rights reserved
Recommended Reading: Stomach Ulcer Foods To Eat
Read Also: Air Mattress For Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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.
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.
Also Check: Ulcerative Colitis Versus Crohn’s Disease
When To Seek Medical Advice
You should visit your GP if you think you may have a stomach ulcer.
Contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately if:
- you are passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
- you have a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse
Go to your nearest accident and emergency department or call 999 if:
- you are vomiting blood the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds
These could be a sign of a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.
How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated
With treatment, most stomach ulcers will heal within a month or two. The treatment recommended for you 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 their stomach produces and allow the ulcer to heal naturally.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and your doctor will discuss whether you should keep using NSAIDs.
Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, may be recommended.
Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.
Read more about treating stomach ulcers.
Also Check: Do Probiotics Help Stomach Ulcers
Fruits Vegetables Whole Grains And Other Foods High In Fibre Can Prevent Ulcers
Add another star to fibres crown. Besides keeping you regular, fibre has a role in keeping ulcers at bay, especially those in the duodenum. A number of studies have found that people who eat high-fibre diets have a lower risk of developing ulcers. In the Physicians Health Study from Harvard, researchers looked at the diets of 47,806 men and found that those who ate 11 grams or more of fibre from vegetables had a 32 per cent lower risk of developing duodenal ulcers.
Scientists arent sure how fibre helps, but it may be thanks to the fact that it slows the emptying of the stomach and thus reduces the amount of time the stomach lining and duodenum are exposed to digestive acids. Soluble fibre, the kind found in oats, beans, barley, peas, and pears, also forms a slippery goo in the stomach that acts as a barrier between the stomach lining and corrosive stomach acids.
Recommended dose: General health guidelines suggest getting 25 to 35 grams of fibre a day.
You May Like: How Do You Check For Ulcers
Herbal Helps For Ulcers
Numerous studies have found the anti-inflammatory herb licorice to be an effective anti-ulcer compound.16 Note, though, that glycyrrhizic acid, one of the primary active ingredients in licorice, can cause an elevation in blood pressure and in some individuals, salt retention, leading to rapid weight gain. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is a form of the herb with the glycyrrhizic acid removed. Studies show it may be a successful anti-peptic ulcer agent without any known side effects.17
Aloe Vera inhibits H. pylori. The gel of this succulent herb serves as a moisturizing emollient that promotes healing and stimulates protein synthesis in tissues.18 Please, note that individuals with low thyroid levels should not take aloe vera internally on a regular basis.
A few more words about ginger. In his book, The Green Pharmacy, medical botanist, James Duke, mentions that ginger contains 11 anti-ulcer compounds. Both it and the herb chamomile are purported to be helpful in treating ulcers.19 Many naturopathic-oriented doctors recommend drinking two to three cups of strong chamomile tea each day for treatment of PUD.
A cautionary note: if you are taking any medications, be sure to consult with your pharmacist regarding any potential herb-drug interactions before using botanical agents.
Don’t Miss: How Do Doctors Treat Stomach Ulcers
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.
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.
Don’t Miss: Food For Ulcer Patient In Nigeria
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:
What Are The Possible Complications
An untreated ulcer that swells or scars can block your digestive tract. It can also perforate your stomach or small intestine, infecting your abdominal cavity. That causes a condition known as peritonitis.
A bleeding ulcer can lead to anemia, bloody vomit, or bloody stools. A bleeding ulcer usually results in a hospital stay. Severe internal bleeding is life-threatening. Perforation or serious bleeding may require surgical intervention.
Also Check: Alternatives To Humira For Ulcerative Colitis
Will Surgery Cure A Peptic Ulcer
Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person can’t take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.
Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:
- Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
- Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach . This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
- Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
- Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.
Diagnoses Of Bleeding Ulcer:
When you approach the doctor to get the treatment of an ulcer, they will primarily suggest you go for some diagnostic techniques. The diagnostic techniques the doctor suggests include:
Endoscopy:
Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic technique that doctors suggest to patients to determine whether they are suffering from a bleeding ulcer or not. In this procedure, the doctor uses the endoscope to insert it through the throat into the stomach. After inserting the same, they check for abnormalities. The endoscope has a tiny camera at its tip, which helps them get a clear picture of the stomach on the screen.
H. pylori test:
We have not heard about it, but right now H-pylori tests are widely used. Doctors rely heavily on H. pylori tests to diagnose conditions. They also suggest the patient go for a blood or stool test by taking a sample during the endoscopy procedure.
Imaging test:
Imaging tests are available in the case of a bleeding ulcer. The doctor does recommend going for an x-ray or CT scan. The patient is supposed to drink a specific liquid that goes to the digestive tract and helps the doctor get the images more clearly.
Don’t Miss: Bleeding Ulcer Blood In Stool