Stomach Ulcers - Causes, Types, Symptoms, & Treatment

The occurrence of stomach ulcers is common in today's generation. These are sores that appear on the stomach lining. Moreover, if someone is suffering from it they are most likely to feel a persistent sharp pain in their stomach. However, stomach pain is not the only symptom of ulcers.

So, to understand whether or not you are suffering from it and cure it using proper medication in the early stage itself it is important to know what are stomach ulcers from depth. Here is a definition for your reference!

Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer where painful sores appear on the stomach lining of an individual. On the other hand, peptic ulcers occur in the stomach lining, oesophagus, and small intestine liningThese are also known as gastric ulcers, and they can cause great discomfort in one's daily life. This is because the human stomach produces strong acids to help digestion. This acid also protects from various microbes. Moreover, the lining also secretes a thick mucus layer to protect body tissues from these acids.

However, when the mucus layer erodes or stops functioning correctly, the acids can easily damage the stomach tissues causing ulcers.

Stomach ulcers are associated with several symptoms. The most typical symptom of a stomach ulcer is the burning sensation in the middle of the abdomen, chest and belly button. Often a sharp pain also accompanies these burning sensations.

The most common signs of stomach ulcers are:

• Dull/sharp pain in the chest, abdomen and stomach area
• Vomiting that generally looks like coffee grounds
• Heartburn
• Belching
• Indigestion
• Passing excessive gas
• Weight loss
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Acid reflux

There are innumerable factors that can cause ulcers in the stomach. However, bacterial infections, medicines and lifestyle habits are common reasons behind gastric lesions.

Various causes of ulcers in stomach are:

• Bacterial infection- The Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) bacteria is not that harmful, but they do end up causing duodenal and gastric ulcers in some people.
• Anti-inflammatory medicine- Certain prescription drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin also cause ulcers. These medicines treat pain, high temperature and swelling. The side effects appear if they are taken in high doses.
• Lifestyle habits- Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, spicy food, and smoking increases risk of developing gastric ulcers in an individual.

Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer. The other two types are:

• Duodenal
• Oesophagus

These three ulcers share the same characteristics but differ in the area of occurrence.

Diagnosis of stomach ulcers depends on each individual's medical history and severity. However, doctors can suggest the following tests:

• Lab tests: This is the only way to detect H.Pylori, and it consists of a blood, stool and breath test. Breath test gives the most accurate results.
• Endoscopy: The lab technician passes a hollow tube down a patient's throat. This tube is equipped with a camera lens which helps them see the location of ulcers.
• Upper gastrointestinal series: These are series of X-rays of the upper digestive system.

The treatment for gastric ulcers will depend on the cause of the ulcer and every individual's age and pre-existing medical conditions. Most ulcers are treated with medicines that the doctor prescribes. However, in some instances, an individual might require surgery.

1. Nonsurgical Treatment

The most common treatment for stomach ulcers is the prescription of medicines. Medical experts prescribe antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors when the lesions caused are H.Pylori bacteria. In addition, doctors may also recommend H2 receptor blockers, probiotics and bismuth supplements. Furthermore, the patient is completely withdrawn from using anti-inflammatory medications.

However, these medications come with specific side effects like:

• nausea
• dizziness
• headache
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain 

Individuals taking the prescribed medications should complete the entire course of doses to eliminate the bacteria.

2. Surgical Treatment

In very rare cases, surgical treatment is suggested when the prescribed drugs cannot salvage the problem. Surgical treatment will include the following:

• Removing the entire ulcer
• Patching the ulcer site with a tissues taken from another part of the intestine
• Tying off bleeding arteries
• Cutting off nerve supplies to stop acid production 

Doctors will suggest surgery in the following cases:

• If ulcers keeps on returning
• When ulcers refuse to heal
• If stomach tears and bleeds
• When food keeps flowing out into the small intestine from the stomach

Individuals need to bring about a few changes in their lifestyle to prevent themselves from gastric ulcers. These lifestyle changes are:

• Avoiding consumption of tobacco and alcohol
• Judiciously using anti-inflammatory medicines
• Regularly washing hands before and after eating
• Thoroughly washing fruits & vegetables before eating

Furthermore, an individual should have a healthy diet and reduce consumption of junk. A person should include the following foods in one’s diet:

• Probiotics- They balance out H.Pylori bacteria in one’s gut.
• Fermented food- Microbes present in fermented food balance out the gut microbiome.
• Broccoli- It contains phytochemicals that stop the growth of bacteria in the stomach.
• Berries- These help in reducing infection caused by H.Pylori bacteria.
• Honey- It has antimicrobial properties, and it soothes the stomach.
• Olive oil- A study found that it hinders the growth of H.Pylori. 

Prevention of stomach ulcers is easy if only people are mindful of what they consume. If an individual is showing symptoms of gastric ulcer, they should immediately consult a doctor.

They are curable, but they can cause severe diseases like cancer if left untreated. However, before taking any major decision, one should understand what are stomach ulcers and their causes, signs and symptoms.