The main symptom of stomach ulcer is pain in the “mouth of the stomach”, which is between 4 and 5 fingers above the navel. In general, pain occurs between meals or at night, making it difficult to control even with heartburn-enhancing medications.
The ulcer is a stomach pain, which hurts and worsens when the gastric juice comes into contact with the wound, as this fluid is acidic and causes more irritation and inflammation in the affected area. The main cause of gastric ulcers is the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, but this problem can also occur due to stress or the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
To identify the presence of gastric ulcers, the following symptoms should be observed:
The presence of reddish stools or vomiting indicates bleeding in the intestine and it is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the location and cause of the problem. Ulcers are usually caused by chronic gastritis, see symptoms here.
In many cases, your doctor may suspect a stomach ulcer only when evaluating symptoms, however, as symptoms may also indicate other problems in your digestive system, it’s common for your doctor to order additional tests such as endoscopy, for example. Understand endoscopy and what preparation is needed.
In addition, one of the main causes of the ulcer is H. pylori infection, the doctor may also order the urease test, blood test or a breath test with marked urea, to know if it is a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.
The most common causes that lead to the development of a stomach ulcer include:
There are still people who seem to have a genetic alteration that facilitates the onset of gastritis and ulcers. Generally, these people have other family members who are also more likely to develop ulcers.
Treatment of a stomach ulcer usually begins with the use of antacids, such as omeprazole or lanzoprazole, but if the presence of H.Pylori bacteria in the stomach is confirmed, it is also necessary to include the use of an antibiotic, such as clarithromycin. Find out how H. pylori treatment is going.
In addition, it is always important to take some precautions during treatment, to regulate the production of stomach acid and facilitate healing of ulcers, such as:
With these measures, it is possible to cure the ulcer more quickly and end stomach pains forever. There are also home remedies, such as potato juice, that help regulate the pH of the stomach, relieve discomfort and facilitate healing of the ulcer. Find out how to prepare these home remedies.