Stomach Ulcers: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers are also known as gastric ulcers. They are open sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum, which typically become painful. At times, stomach ulcers are also referred to as a type of gastroduodenal ulcer. Peptic ulcers affect both the stomach and the small intestine.

Stomach cancer is also referred to as duodenal ulcer because it can occur in certain parts of the intestine beyond the stomach (the duodenum). While stomach ulcers are curable, they can become serious if appropriate treatment is not administered in a timely manner.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

• Initially, a dull or burning sensation is felt in the stomach. This is the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
• At times, pain may occur anywhere in the abdomen, between the navel and the sternum, at any time of the day.
• Bloating may occur and lead to weight loss
• Belching occurs due to acidity, also known as acid reflux
• Feeling unwell is another sign of a stomach ulcer
• Hunger-related pain occurring two to three hours after a meal or at midnight
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Dark stools or sometimes blood in the stool may be observed
• Vomiting and nausea are becoming frequent
• Heartburn may occur, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest
• Pain increases when eating, drinking, or taking antacids
• Anemia may also occur, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or pale skin.
• Fatigue (which can also be a symptom of stomach cancer)

Causes of stomach ulcers

The two primary causes of stomach ulcers are:

• an infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) that can cause ulcers, or long-term use of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, or aspirin
• Furthermore, your lifestyle can also increase the risks of

Developing stomach ulcers. They can be:

Stomach ulcers can develop due to certain lifestyle factors, such as excessive consumption of spicy foods, extreme stress, and alcohol.

In some cases, smoking can also increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers and may also render treatments less effective.

NSAIDs cause stomach ulcers by reducing the adequate production of prostaglandins in the stomach. Prostaglandins function to protect against damage caused by the stomach’s digestive juices, which are acidic in nature.

Diagnosing Stomach Ulcers

Typically, an ulcer is diagnosed by:

Upper GI barium swallow (upper gastrointestinal series): An upper GI barium swallow presents no risks (other than radiation exposure) or discomfort and is a straightforward procedure. Barium is a chalk-like substance that must be swallowed. During the scan, the substance becomes visible, allowing the outline of the stomach to be observed. The downside is that barium X-rays have low precision, and approximately 20% of cases are missed.

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy): An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy offers significantly greater precision compared to a barium swallow. During the procedure, sedatives are administered to the patient. A flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and guided down into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum for inspection.

Other diagnostic methods include:

Blood test: A small blood sample is tested for H. pylori antibodies. The presence of these antibodies confirms an H. pylori infection.

Stool sample: For this test, a small sample of your stool will be tested for H. pylori. Stool tests are also used to identify the causes of blood in the stool. In some cases, this may be due to bleeding hemorrhoids rather than stomach ulcers.

Breath test: During this test, a liquid containing a harmless radioactive chemical is swallowed. Due to the presence of H. pylori, the chemical breaks down, producing carbon dioxide. After drinking the liquid, the physician may ask the patient to breathe into a device. This machine measures the levels of radioactivity in the carbon dioxide. If elevated radioactivity levels are detected, it indicates an H. pylori infection. For more details on stomach ulcers, please consult this site dedicated to medical courses in PDF format. click here.