Signs & Symptoms of a Gastric or Peptic Ulcer
- Certain foods can aggravate ulcers.appetite image by Svetlana Kashkina from Fotolia.com
The Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center estimates peptic ulcers (also known as gastric or stomach ulcers) affect 5 million Americans every year. Peptic ulcers are sores or lesions in the lining of the stomach. OSU notes that contrary to popular belief, stress and diet are not the primary causes of ulcers. A bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, is responsible for 80 percent of stomach ulcers. Symptoms vary, but include one common sign. - University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) doctors refer to the set of symptoms that often accompany peptic ulcers as dyspepsia. While some ulcers present with no symptoms, OSU Medical Center experts claim that a burning or gnawing pain between the breastbone and navel is the most common peptic ulcer symptom. Other components of dyspepsia, according to UMMC, are bloating, mild nausea, belching and acid backing up into the throat. Peptic ulcers may trigger hunger one to three hours after a meal. Other less common peptic ulcer symptoms include loss of weight or appetite, vomiting and tiredness, reports OSU Medical Center. Ulcer pain often worsens at night or between meals.
- UMMC warns that certain sudden and intense symptoms can signal an emergency. OSU reports that without treatment ulcers can cause bleeding, perforation (a hole in the wall of the stomach causing digested food to leave the abdominal cavity) or an obstruction of the intestine. Signs that one of these emergencies is occurring include tarry, black or bloody stools as well as severe vomiting and/or abdominal pain that may be accompanied by blood, explains UMMC. Vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds is the sign of a serious problem. UMMC stresses that emergency medical attention is necessary.
- Aspirin can increase peptic ulcer risk.a pile of pills image by Alex Anstey from Fotolia.com
Some ulcer symptoms mimic other digestive disorders and health ailments. If you experience such symptoms, you should assess your ulcer risk factors. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) states that if you regularly use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, you are at an increased risk of developing an ulcer. You are at an elevated risk for ulcers, according to the AGA, if you are over 50 years of age, drink excessively, smoke tobacco products or have a family history of ulcers. NSAID-induced ulcers are most common among people 60 and older and those with a history of peptic ulcers. Your doctor will likely rule out Helicobacter pylori as the cause of your ulcer symptoms before investigating other common signs.
