Gastric Ulcer

July 7, 2009 | By admin In Gastric Ulcer |

Gastric ulcer or stomach ulcer is eroded, raw area in the stomach lining. Gastric ulcer is more common among males in the age group of 55-70 years. It is more also common in people who take anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen, smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, often feel stressed, or have high caffeine intake.

Causes and Symptoms of Gastric Ulcer

Gastric ulcer is caused when digestive juices and stomach acids injure the lining of the stomach. These ulcers are also caused by anti-inflammatory drugs, from the presence of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, certain medications, increased production of gastric acids and infection, decreased resistance of stomach lining to gastric acids and disorders causing over secretion of stomach juices.

Heartburn in the middle of upper abdomen, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, repeated episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding and weight loss are some of the most common symptoms of gastric ulcer. Many patients awake in the night due to severe pain, and this ulcers pain is relieved by taking antacids. If there is internal bleeding, there might be vomiting with digested or bright red blood and also have tarry, black bowel movements.

Diagnosis Of Gastric Ulcer

Doctors diagnose gastric ulcer by examining the patient, and having a look at the medical history. Based on the risk factors such as age, gender, history of using medications, location of pain, hemoglobin level, history of smoking and history of alcohol use, the doctor may suspect gastric ulcer. The doctor may then do the endoscopy and imaging studies to verify the presence of the ulcer. There are certain non-invasive tests as well, including breath test and blood test for immune response.

Doctors prescribe the drugs to reduce the rate of stomach acid secretion in stomach lining of mucous tissues to treat the gastric ulcer. Surgical ulcers treatment is prescribed only if doctor suspects malignancies and complications. If ulcer is left untreated, there can be perforation of stomach wall, hemorrhaging and obstruction that prevents passage of food.

There are certain lifestyle changes that patients can make to prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcer. Some of the self-care methods include avoiding unnecessary use of aspirin, cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking, and avoiding caffeine and sodas. Patients should also try to eat nutritious, well-balanced meals, and learn to manage stress. Get daily dose of exercise, and sleep well.

Some people suffering from gastric ulcer diet can eat whatever they like, but for others, certain foods can cause excessive acid production, causing irritation and heartburn. It is essential for them to follow the gastric ulcer diet that mainly consists of breads, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and milk and dairy products. If you are an ulcer patient, there are lists of things you can eat and what you should not. There are many ulcer-friendly recipes that can help cure and prevent the gastric ulcers.

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5 Comments so far

Gastric Ulcer Diet | Ulcers Causes an Ulcers Pain on July 15th, 2009

[...] people suffering from gastric ulcer can eat whatever they want or like, without any problem. But for some, eating certain foods can [...]
Gastric Ulcer Symptoms | Ulcers Causes an Ulcers Pain on July 27th, 2009

[...] Gastric ulcer is a lesion or open sore in the mucous membrane part of the stomach, and there are certain gastric ulcer symptoms that can help you understand if you are suffering from it. To prevent the gastric ulcer, it is essential to understand its causes. The most common cause of gastric ulcers is bacterium Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. There are few other causes as well including use of various drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. It has also been proved that one’s lifestyle and stress can also cause gastric ulcer. [...]
Gastric Ulcer Treatment | Ulcers Causes an Ulcers Pain on July 31st, 2009

[...] Gastric ulcer is a weakness in the walls of intestines or stomach, causing discomfort and pain. In some cases, it can also tear open, bleed or cause the blockage. Though it is possible to treat this ulcer with the help of medication and self-care at home, in rare cases, surgery might be required. Gastric ulcer is more common in older age groups, and there are many factors that lead to development of ulcers. Some of the most common symptoms of gastric ulcers include pain in the upper, central part of the abdomen, dull-ache, sharp, gas-like, throbbing, cramping etc. But, you may get pain in any part of the abdomen. [...]
Perforated Gastric Ulcer | Ulcers Causes an Ulcers Pain on August 9th, 2009

[...] in duodenum are called duodenal ulcers and ulcers in stomach are called gastric ulcers. It was once believed that smoking, diet and stress were the leading causes of stomach ulcers, but [...]
Gastric Ulcer Disease | Ulcers Causes an Ulcers Pain on August 27th, 2009

[...] Gastric ulcers are open sores in the inside lining of stomach, and the most common symptom of gastric ulcer disease is the abdominal pain. Some of the other symptoms of gastric ulcer disease are pain anywhere from your navel to the breastbone, pain getting worse when stomach is empty, pain lasting from few minutes to several hours, there are flares at night, and the relief comes from eating certain foods or taking acid-reducing medications. In severe cases, there may be vomiting of blood, nausea and passing dark blood in stools, tarry or black stools, appetite changes and unexplained weight loss. Ulcers must be treated with doctor’s help, but over-the-counter acid blockers and antacids can relieve the gnawing pain temporarily. This relief however is short-lived. [...]