A stomach ulcer is a kind of wound in the mucosa of the stomach and causes pain in the upper abdomen. Sometimes, the ulcer is found in the stomach itself, but usually slightly beyond the exit of the stomach, at the beginning of the duodenum. Thanks to better treatment options and more knowledge about the cause, stomach ulcers are nowadays less common than before.
Cause
In case of a stomach ulcer, a hole is formed in the protective mucous layer of the stomach or the duodenum. The acidic and aggressive gastric juice comes into contact with the nerves in the wall of these organs. A stomach ulcer is usually caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. After infection, it takes several days before the first symptoms occur. The use of certain painkillers can also lead to a stomach ulcer.
Other risk factors for the development of a stomach ulcer are: hereditary factors, alcohol and smoking. It is often thought that stress is a cause of stomach ulcer, but this is not the case. Stress can change a person’s diet. Some people start eating a lot of extra food when they suffer from stress, others can’t even eat anymore. The gastric acid production just continues. Both cases can worsen stomach problems.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms that occur in case of a stomach ulcer are:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. This pain is described as stomach pain or stomach cramps.
- The ulcer may sometimes cause stomach hemorrhage. Then there is blood in the stool that looks black and tarry.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Lack of appetite, resulting in weight loss.
- Anemia (in case of long-lasting bleeding).
A specific symptom of an ulcer in the stomach is that the stomach pain gets worse after eating. With an ulcer in the duodenum, a patient is especially suffering from pain on an empty stomach and can wake up at night from abdominal pain.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of stomach ulcer is made by means of gastroscopy. This is an exploratory examination in the stomach and duodenum. In the stomach, the doctor can take small pieces out of the mucosa. These pieces of tissue are examined in the laboratory, in order to determine the cause of the ulcer. This way, a possible bleeding can be treated as well.
Treatment
A stomach ulcer that is caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, is treated with two different antibiotics and an antacid. The antibiotics ensure that the bacterium disappears and the antacid stimulates healing of the stomach ulcer. In about ninety percent of cases, the bacterium will disappear after these medications: the symptoms disappear and don’t come back.
If no bacterial infection has been demonstrated, only antacids are prescribed. By making the gastric juice (temporarily) less or not acid, the hole in the mucosal layer can restore.
Prognosis
After treatment and especially when the cause is known, the prognosis is exceptionally good. By treating the stomach ulcer, the bacterium disappears in the vast majority of cases. Thus, the symptoms should also disappear.
Considerations
The following regimens and dietary advices are important:
- Quit smoking. Smoking irritates and weakens the stomach mucosa.
- Ensure sufficient rest and relaxation. Tension and stress are not the cause of a stomach ulcer, but can trigger the symptoms.
- Eat healthy, varied and high-fiber. A healthy diet contains all nutrients that a person needs every day.
- Take sufficient exercise. By keeping the body in good shape, symptoms can be prevented.
- Eat at regular times. Take three main meals a day and a single snack. Start the day with a good breakfast.
- Avoid large meals, take enough time for the meal and chew well.
- Don’t eat later than three hours before going to sleep.
- Be very careful with the use of aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers, also known as NSAIDs. If a person has ever had a stomach ulcer, it’s not wise to use these painkillers on one’s own initiative. Paracetamol at the recommended dose can do no harm.
- People with stomach problems can basically eat and drink anything. What worsens the symptoms in one person, causes no problems in the other. It’s often a matter of just trying what a person can eat well. Products that can stimulate stomach problems include: alcohol, peppermint, chocolate, coffee and tea.
