Symptoms of a Gastric Ulcer

A gastric ulcer happens when the lining of the stomach becomes damaged or torn in some way. Some people may never experience symptoms of a gastric ulcer, while others will have intense pain and bleeding. If left untreated, a gastric ulcer can sometimes be fatal, so always seek medical attention if you suspect you have a gastric ulcer.

What would I feel if I had a gastric ulcer?

As stated before, some people won’t have any symptoms of a gastric ulcer. But, if you do experience symptoms they can include:

• Blood in your stool that would look like a black or tar-like substance
• Vomiting, potentially vomiting blood that may resemble coffee grounds

If either of these symptoms is occurring, seek medical attention immediately.

These can be signs of a bleeding ulcer, and should be treated as quickly as possible to prevent further complications:

• Nausea
• Weight loss that wasn’t part of a planned diet and exercise routine
• Loss of appetite
• Pain after eating
• Dull pain in the upper chest, near the breastbone
• Pain that wakes you up in the night

What can I point to for causing my gastric ulcer?

The most common cause of gastric ulcers, or ulcers located in the stomach, is the H. pylori bacteria. It’s a fairly common infection caused by regular day-to-day contacts, like kissing. It can also be found in some foods and contaminated water. Some people who have the bacteria don’t even know it, while in others it goes into overdrive and multiplies in the stomach lining, making it vulnerable to corrosive stomach acids. Your doctor can perform tests to see if you have H. pylori. If you do, a course of antibiotics is generally prescribed, followed by additional tests to make sure the bacteria has been killed.

Another common cause of gastric ulcers is pain killers. If you have chronic pain, like joint pain or headaches, you need to be aware that pain killers can have some pretty serious consequences when taken regularly. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) inhibit the production of a protective enzyme in the stomach. Without this enzyme, the stomach lining is vulnerable to stomach acids and other digestive elements that are meant to break things down. Aleve and Ibuprofen are a few NSAIDs that should be taken in moderation, along with Aspirin and prescription pain medications. If you have an ulcer or are susceptible to them, your physician should be aware of it so he can prescribe your medications accordingly.

A few other things that are thought to worsen ulcers are alcohol and stress. Both cause the body to produce an excess of stomach acids, which leads to ulcers. While a direct link can’t be made between either and a cause of ulcers, they are defiantly blamed for worsening ulcers and making it more difficult for the body to heal from an ulcer. Eliminate these factors by lowering your alcohol consumption and focusing on relieving stress in your life.

Gastric ulcers can be a very painful condition. For more information on symptoms of a gastric ulcer, their causes and healing them, read The Reflux Remedy Report at refulxremedy.com today!