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Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of stomach ulcers The stomach Causes of stomach ulcers Helicobacter pylori Ulcer bleeding Perforated ulcer Diagnosis of a stomach ulcer Treatment for a stomach ulcer Where to get help Things to remember. If present, they can include: abdominal pain just below the ribcage indigestion nausea loss of appetite vomiting weight loss bright or altered blood present in vomit or bowel motions symptoms of anaemia, such as light-headedness shock due to blood loss — a medical emergency.
The stomach The stomach is an organ of the digestive system, located in the abdomen just below the ribs and on the left. Causes of stomach ulcers A stomach ulcer can be caused by a variety of factors, including: Helicobacter pylori — bacteria is thought to be responsible for around 60 per cent of stomach ulcers and at least 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers.
Certain medications — which include aspirin or clopidogrel, taken regularly to help prevent heart attack or stroke, and drugs for arthritis. Cancer — stomach cancer can present as an ulcer, particularly in older people. Helicobacter pylori The Helicobacter pylori bacterium H. Ulcer bleeding This is a serious complication of ulcer disease and is particularly deadly in the elderly or those with multiple medical problems. Perforated ulcer A severe, untreated ulcer can sometimes burn through the wall of the stomach, allowing digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity.
Diagnosis of a stomach ulcer Diagnosing a stomach ulcer is done using a range of methods, including: Endoscopy — a thin flexible tube is threaded down the oesophagus into the stomach under light anaesthesia. The endoscope is fitted with a small camera so the physician can see if there is an ulcer.
Barium meal — a chalky liquid is drunk and an x-ray is performed, showing the stomach lining. These tests are less common nowadays, but may be useful where endoscopy is unavailable. Biopsy — a small tissue sample is taken during an endoscopy and tested in a laboratory. This biopsy should always be done if a gastric ulcer is found. C14 breath test — this checks for the presence of H. If your stomach ulcer's caused by a Helicobacter pylori H.
This is also recommended if it's thought your stomach ulcer's caused by a combination of an H. You'll be re-tested at least 4 weeks after finishing your antibiotic course to see if there are any H. If there are, a further course of eradication therapy using different antibiotics may be given. You may be advised to use an alternative painkiller not associated with stomach ulcers, such as paracetamol.
COX-2 inhibitors are sometimes recommended. If you're taking low-dose aspirin to reduce your risk of blood clots, your GP will tell you whether you need to keep taking it. If you do, you may also be prescribed long-term treatment with a PPI or H2-receptor antagonist to prevent further ulcers. You're more likely to develop another stomach ulcer and could experience a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.
Read more about the complications of stomach ulcers. PPIs work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces. This prevents further damage to the ulcer as it heals naturally. As these treatments can take several hours before they start to work, your GP may recommend taking additional antacid medication.
Some antacids also contain a medicine called an alginate, which produces a protective coating on the lining of your stomach.
Antacids containing alginates are best taken after meals. You can buy these medications at pharmacies. Your pharmacist can tell you which is most suitable for you. However, avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals. Internal bleeding's the most common complication of stomach ulcers. It can occur when an ulcer develops at the site of a blood vessel.
You should visit your GP if you have persistent symptoms of anaemia. If they think you have a stomach ulcer, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an examination and treatment. More about anaemia. Contact your GP or the NHS 24 service immediately if you have symptoms of more severe bleeding, including:.
An endoscopy will be used to identify the cause of the bleeding. Treatment can be given during the endoscopy to stop the bleeding. Blood transfusions may also be needed to replace the blood you've lost. Perforations are a rarer complication of stomach ulcers.
This is when the lining of the stomach splits open. This can be very serious because it lets the bacteria that live in your stomach escape and infect the lining of your abdomen peritoneum. This is known as peritonitis. In peritonitis, an infection can rapidly spread into the blood sepsis before spreading to other organs. This carries the risk of multiple organ failure and can be fatal if left untreated. The most common symptom of peritonitis is sudden abdominal pain, which gets steadily worse.
Peritonitis is a medical emergency that requires hospital admission. In some cases, surgery may be needed. In some cases, an inflamed swollen or scarred stomach ulcer can obstruct the normal passage of food through your digestive system. This is called a gastric outlet obstruction. If the obstruction's caused by inflammation, proton pump inhibitors PPIs or H2-receptor antagonists can be used to reduce stomach acid levels until the swelling goes down. If the obstruction's caused by scar tissue, surgery may be needed.
This can involve passing a small balloon through an endoscope and inflating it to widen the site of the obstruction.
Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcer See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About stomach ulcers 2. Stomach ulcer symptoms 3. Stomach ulcer causes 4. Stomach ulcer diagnosis 5. Stomach ulcer treatment 6. Stomach ulcer complications.
About stomach ulcers Stomach ulcers gastric ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening. Diagnosis and treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer.
To rule out H. Treatment will vary depending on the cause of your ulcer. Most ulcers can be treated with a prescription from your doctor, but in rare cases, surgery may be required. Talk to your doctor to discuss a treatment plan. You may also require a blood transfusion. If your stomach ulcer is the result of H. PPIs block the stomach cells that produce acid. Symptoms of an ulcer may subside quickly with treatment. But even if your symptoms disappear, you should continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor.
This is especially important with H. These side effects are typically temporary. If any of these side effects cause extreme discomfort, talk to your doctor about changing your medication. In very rare cases, a complicated stomach ulcer will require surgery. This may be the case for ulcers that:. In the past, it was thought that diet could cause ulcers. Foods that may help fight off H. Additionally, since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.
Learn more about foods that may be good for stomach ulcers — and foods that may not be. In addition to eating healthy foods, the following items may help reduce the effects of H. However, these supplements are not intended to replace prescription medication or your current treatment plan.
They include:. Your doctor may also have suggestions for things you can do at home to relieve discomfort from your ulcer. Consider talking to your doctor about these natural and home remedies for ulcers.
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