VISUAL GUIDE TO STOMACH ULCERS FOR DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ULCER?

Your stomach is covered in a layer of sticky mucus when it's healthy. This shields it from the corrosive acid that degrades your food. When this balance is disrupted, you end up with too much stomach acid and not enough mucus. That acid eats away at the tissue that lines your stomach over time. It causes an ulcer, which is a painful and occasionally bleeding open sore. Some are very little, while others are well over an inch in length.

A GERM IS TO BE BLAMED FOR IT.

Stress or extremely hot food aren't the most common causes of ulcers.

Stress or extremely hot food aren't the most common causes of ulcers. These simply exacerbate the problem. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that lives in your stomach. It irritates your stomach wall and causes an ulcer to grow. It's still unknown how you obtain this problem. It can be passed from person to person, such as through kissing, or through polluted food or drink. By the age of 60, roughly half of the population has been infected.

WHY CAN PAINKILLERS CAUSE PROBLEMS?

If you take over-the-counter pain medicines such aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen on a frequent basis, you may develop an ulcer. These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) inflame the lining of your stomach if you take them too often or for too long. You won't be able to repair your ulcers until you stop taking them.

MEDICINES THAT COULD CAUSE ULCERS

When taken with NSAIDs, some drugs can contribute to the development of an ulcer. Steroids and blood thinners might be difficult to digest. Alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate, for example, are used to treat osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disorder (Actonel).

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IT'S CANCER?

Tumors can sometimes induce stomach ulcers, however this is uncommon. If you have Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES), it indicates you've developed one or more gastrinomas in your small intestine or pancreas. These tumours produce hormones that cause your stomach to produce more acid than usual, resulting in ulcers.

Gastrinomas are not usually indicative of malignancy. They have the potential to be benign (harmless) and not spread.

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN PAIN

It's difficult to ignore your ulcer when it's acting up. Between your breastbone and belly button, you'll experience scorching agony. You might only have it for a few minutes or you might have it for hours. When you don't have any food in your stomach, the problem may develop worse between meals. It may even wake you up in the middle of the night.

APART FROM PAIN, THERE ARE OTHER SYMPTOMS

You might feel nauseous or have the urge to vomit. It's possible that you'll burp more than usual or feel bloated. When you poop, you may notice black stools or see blood. Some people who suffer from stomach ulcers don't want to eat and lose weight without even trying. Nearly three-quarters of persons with ulcers, on the other hand, experience no symptoms.

TYPES OF TESTS YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE

A test of your breath or stool can determine if you have the H. pylori bacteria if your doctor suspects you have an ulcer. An X-ray of the stomach, often known as a "barium swallow," will search for any signs of ulcers. You'll be asked to swallow a thick, white substance that coats your stomach when you arrive at the lab. Ulcers are easy to identify on an X-ray image because of this.

AN ENDOSCOPY FOR A CLOSE LOOK

This technique allows your doctor to examine any ulcers and collect a tissue sample for testing for H. pylori. The doctor administers sedatives before inserting a thin tube with a tiny camera down your neck and into your stomach. If you're older, show signs of bleeding, or have trouble swallowing, eating, or maintaining a healthy weight, your doctor may recommend this test.

STOMACH ACID TARGETING TREATMENTS

The cause of your ulcer will determine how your doctor treats it. Several medications can help you reduce the quantity of acid in your stomach. They also coat your stomach in order to protect your ulcer and allow it to heal. Your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter antacid to provide immediate relief.

ANTIBIOTICS

If your ulcer is caused by H. pylori, you'll need to take them. Most ulcers produced by this bacteria can be cured with these drugs, but eliminating H. pylori for good can be difficult. Your doctor may prescribe up to four medications for you to take for up to two weeks. Follow your doctor's directions to the letter if you want them to work. It's also critical that you finish all of the prescription he prescribes.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR ULCER

There are numerous reasons to seek assistance. If you delay treatment, your ulcer may begin to obstruct the smooth passage of food through your digestive system. You may frequently vomit or feel unable to eat. Your ulcer could eventually rip a hole in your stomach lining, putting you at risk of a serious infection. You could potentially end up in the hospital if your ulcer bleeds.

HEAL YOUR STOMACH

A few simple changes to your lifestyle can aid in the healing of your ulcer. To begin, learn to manage your stress better. Your symptoms will worsen if you worry. Get enough sleep and stay away from alcohol and smoke. Consume a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Reduce your intake of dairy, greasy, and spicy foods, as these can irritate your stomach. You might wish to try foods like kefir, miso, and sauerkraut, which contain probiotics (or "good" bacteria).

PAIN RELIEF WILL HELP YOU PLAY SAFELY.

NSAIDs should be avoided during and after treatment. If you continue to use them, your ulcer may not heal or may heal briefly before returning. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that is gentler on the stomach. A pain reliever that is easy on your stomach can also be prescribed by your doctor. If you absolutely must take an NSAID, start with the smallest amount that will still aid you, and take it with food.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO HEAL.

Stomach ulcers usually react well to therapy and heal in a matter of weeks. To be sure, your doctor may order another H. pylori test or an endoscopy. An ulcer that refuses to heal could be caused by a variety of factors, including improper medicine administration or another health issue such as Crohn's disease. Patience is required. To make your stomach feel better, your doctor will gather additional information about your symptoms and try other treatments.