Stomach ulcer: 5 warning signs you must watch out for - Times Now

A medical oversight can help diagnose gastric ulcers.

A medical oversight can help diagnose gastric ulcers. &nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspiStock Images

Key Highlights

  • Stomach ulcer refers to a state characterised by the development of sores on the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine lining.
  • The lining of the digestive tract can get inflamed and damaged by exposure to the bacteria H. Pylori or excess use of anti-inflammatory painkillers such as – ibuprofen and aspirin.
  • Also known as a gastric ulcer, this condition can give burning sensations within the stomach and upper abdominal pain often immediately after eating.

New Delhi: Stomach ulcer refers to a state characterised by the development of sores on the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine lining. The lining of the digestive tract can get inflamed and damaged by exposure to the bacteria H. Pylori or excess use of anti-inflammatory painkillers such as – ibuprofen and aspirin. Also known as a gastric ulcer, this condition can give burning sensations within the stomach and upper abdominal pain often immediately after eating.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer

Pain triggered by stomach ulcers can last for a few minutes or sometimes even for hours. Although the pain can be barely noticeable in a few cases, at times it can be severe enough to keep you awake all night. To get relief from stomach ulcer pain, antacids can be used; however, this offers temporary relief which can relapse time and again if the ulcer is left untreated for too long.

Besides pain, another common sensation linked to stomach ulcers is nausea. It can be accompanied by vomiting when feeling sick. Patients may also experience loss of appetite – majorly because of the episodes of pain that show up after eating. Therefore, unexplained weight loss in stomach ulcer patients should not come as a surprise.

In terms of symptoms, stomach ulcer patients are likely to complain of the following as most common signs of a gastric ulcer:

  1. Loss of appetite
  2. Sensations of sickness
  3. Heartburn
  4. Burning sensations in the stomach
  5. Indigestion

Diagnosing a stomach ulcer

A medical oversight can help diagnose gastric ulcers. Doctors can conduct a gastroscopy to look inside directly to locate an ulcer. In this procedure, a thin and flexible tube is inserted with a camera inside the stomach and small intestine. If an ulcer is spotted and excessive use of painkillers is cited as the root cause, then a proton pump inhibitors (PPI) course is given.

In the healing process, a stomach ulcer can take a maximum of six weeks to heal. Additionally, there are some simple steps that can be taken to speed up and support the recovery process. These include:

  1. Abstinence from alcohol
  2. Avoid eating spicy food
  3. Practice mindfulness to keep stress at bay
  4. Quit smoking

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Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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