Peptic ulcers are sores that develop on the skin or mucous membranes in the body. Peptic ulcers that occur in the stomach or small intestine are known as peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers in the stomach are also called peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers can be caused by lifestyle factors such as diet and stress, or excessive amounts of stomach acid. However, the majority are caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Symptoms of peptic ulcers are acute for some people and mild for others. Sometimes peptic ulcers are asymptomatic, which means the sufferer does not experience any symptoms.
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Method 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Pay attention to the pain in your abdomen between your breastbone and belly button
This pain can vary in degree and duration, lasting from two minutes to several hours. This pain often occurs between meals on an empty stomach, and can be described as a burning or stabbing pain.
- Often the pain caused by peptic ulcers can be relieved by eating foods that can block acid in the stomach, or by taking over-the-counter antacids.
- If your stomach pain is caused by a peptic ulcer, it can recur at night and when you are hungry.
Step 2. Pay attention to other symptoms of peptic ulcer that the patient has reported
Not all of these symptoms affect everyone, but you may experience a combination of some of them.
- Increase in the amount of gas and belching activity
- Feelings of fullness and inability to drink a lot of fluids
- Feeling hungry two hours after eating
- Mild nausea, usually when you wake up in the morning
- Feeling tired and not feeling well
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of a serious peptic ulcer
If not treated promptly, peptic ulcers can cause internal bleeding and other problems, leading to a medical emergency.
- Vomiting, especially if it contains blood, can be an indication of an acute peptic ulcer.
- Stool that is dark, difficult to pass, or is shaped like a paste can also be a sign of an acute peptic ulcer.
- Stool accompanied by blood can be an indication of an acute peptic ulcer.
Step 4. See a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms of peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcer is a serious condition that requires medical treatment. Over-the-counter products may provide temporary relief, but may not improve the condition.
Step 5. Identify if you may have a peptic ulcer
Although peptic ulcers can appear for a number of reasons, and in any individual, people who are most at risk for developing them include:
- People infected with H. pylori bacteria
- People who regularly take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen
- People with a family history of peptic ulcers
- People who regularly drink alcohol
- People who have diseases related to the liver, kidneys, or lungs.
- People over 50 years old
Method 2 of 2: Quick Tips for Peptic Ulcer Patients
Step 1. Make an appointment with your doctor
Although peptic ulcers often heal on their own, some serious cases of peptic ulcers need to be diagnosed and treated with endoscopy. An endoscope is a small lighted tube that is inserted into your esophagus. Only your doctor can do this. In the meantime, try some of the tips below before you see a doctor.
Step 2. Take an acid-blocking medication
Acid-blocking medications are sometimes recommended by doctors to see if symptoms improve. This is because peptic ulcers can be caused by an imbalance of digestive juices in the stomach and duodenum.
Step 3. Make certain lifestyle changes
Stop smoking, drinking, and using NSAIDs. Smoking and drinking alcohol can cause an imbalance in digestive juices, while NSAIDs can upset this balance if taken in high doses. Stop all three while you wait for a diagnosis from your doctor.
Step 4. Don't drink milk
Drinking milk can be a temporary relief, but it is tantamount to taking one step forward and two steps back. Milk will coat the lining of the stomach wall temporarily. However, milk can also encourage the production of more stomach acid, which in turn can make peptic ulcers worse.
Tips
- A few percent of cases of peptic ulcer disease are not directly caused by stress or diet, but by Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacterium, not a virus. A Nobel Prize was awarded to Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for this discovery.
- Another common cause of peptic ulcers is the body's mucous membrane which is too thin and more prone to "breaks" in this protective layer. This "fault" exposes the stomach wall to the acid that the mucous membrane opposes. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications can thin the mucous membranes over time. Aspirin is one of them, especially NSAIDs. Some synthetic blood thinners can also cause this.
- Before finding a link between peptic ulcers and H. pylori bacteria, doctors used to advise patients to control their stomach ulcers through diet and lifestyle changes. Even though we now know that these bacteria cause peptic ulcers, it's still true that your lifestyle and diet can make your symptoms worse. Manage stress by praying, practicing yoga, or meditating; diligent exercise; and eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat and not spicy can help reduce peptic ulcer symptoms for some people.
Warning
- The following factors can increase your chances of having a peptic ulcer: alcohol and tobacco consumption, use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), high stress levels, and radiation treatment. All of these have been shown to "thin" the body's mucous membranes, including the lining of the stomach.
- If left untreated, peptic ulcers can erode the walls of the stomach or intestines, causing internal bleeding, holes, or obstructions in the digestive system.
