Signs of stomach ulcer: Common symptoms to watch out for

If you're having stomach pain, watching out for signs of stomach ulcer is a good idea.

Although they can be uncomfortable, peptic ulcers are rarely life-threatening. Having said that, severe ulcers occasionally cause internal bleeding and perforation, necessitating urgent treatment to avoid serious disease or death.

Abdominal pain is a peptic ulcer's most typical symptom; anyone can get one. Peptic ulcers can be brought on by bacterial infections, particular medications, or uncommon malignancies.

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Types of stomach ulcers

You may experience severe stomach ache as the signs of stomach ache. (Image via Pexels/Kindel Media)

When the thick coating of mucus that shields the stomach from digestive fluids is thinner than normal, stomach ulcers develop. That makes it possible for the stomach's lining tissues to become eroded by digestive acids, leading to an ulcer.

Although stomach ulcers are usually treatable, if left untreated, they can exacerbate. The most prevalent types of peptic ulcers are named based on where they develop. They consist of:

Gastric ulcers: These stomach ulcers are a typical variety that develops inside the stomach.

Duodenal ulcers: They're found in the duodenum, which is the top portion of the small intestine.

Esophageal ulcers: They develop inside the esophagus, which is the tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach.

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Causes of stomach ulcer

Infection with the common bacteria helicobacter pylori or routine use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like aspirin, are the two main causes of ulcers.

Risk of getting an ulcer can also be increased by things like being older than 50, smoking, having a family history of ulcers, using steroids, and drinking a lot.

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Common signs of stomach ulcer

The typical signs of stomach ulcers are indigestion and stomach pain. Somewhere between tge breastbone and belly button, ulcer discomfort occurs and feels like a burning or biting sensation.

Eating, drinking, or taking an antacid, a drug to lower stomach acid, can make it better momentarily. When stomach acids build up without any food for the stomach to digest, the condition may worsen between meals and at night. You can also experience a lack of appetite as a result.

Here’s a list of some common signs of stomach ulcers:

1) Burning stomach pain

One of the most typical signs of stomach ulcers is a dull, burning sensation in the abdomen. Between meals, when the stomach is empty, this ache generally manifests. It could last for many minutes or several hours.

2) Heartburn

Heartburn, a burning sensation that occurs near the heart or upper stomach when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, is another sign of stomach ulcer. A stomach ulcer may be to blame if you have more indigestion or heartburn than usual.

3) Nausea and vomiting

You may also feel nauseated due to stomach ulcers. (Image via Unsplash/Jorge Franganillo)

Especially in the morning after fasting for a while, signs of stomach ulcer can make you feel sick to your stomach. An inflammatory response brought on by ulcers in the stomach can result in stomach spasms. You might throw up if they get too strong.

4) Change in color of stool

If you notice that your feces are black in color, which is the color of digested blood, that may mean a stomach ulcer. Ulcers that bleed are a significant medical condition that needs to be treated right away.

5) Unexplained loss of appetite

Due to the inflammation they cause, stomach ulcers can occasionally cause a blockage in the digestive tract. That may halt passage of food through the stomach, resulting in other signs of stomach ulcer, including weight loss and loss of appetite.

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Treatment of stomach ulcer

The causes of stomach ulcers determine the course of treatment. For instance, if testing reveals the helicobacter pylori infection causing the ulcer, your practitioner will prescribe medications to get rid of the bacterium.

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Whatever the underlying cause, taking drugs that decrease stomach acid can aid in the healing process. Moreover, modifying one's lifestyle by following a diet for ulcers, quitting alcohol, or practicing stress reduction helps hasten the healing process.

Do not completely rely on signs of stomach ulcer. A medical diagnosis is the only way to be certain that your discomfort is being brought on by an ulcer.