Causes, Symptoms, and Home RemediesStomach Ulcer
A stomach ulcer is a painful condition that affects the stomach and small intestine. It occurs when the thick mucus layer that protects the stomach from digestive fluids decreases, allowing stomach acids to damage the internal tissues. While stomach ulcers can develop easily, they can become severe without proper treatment. For a complete understanding of the signs, symptoms of this illness, and essential recommendations forstomach ulcer treatmenthealthSelMagzbe sure to read carefully.
What causes a stomach ulcer?
Stomach ulcers are usually caused by one of the following:
Bacterial infection
Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) likeAspirin, ibuprofen, ornaproxen; rarely, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may cause ulcers by increasing the body’s acid production, contributing to less than 1% of digestive ulcers.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer:
Generally, stomach ulcer pain starts about an hour after eating and can last for hours; it may worsen at night and can wake a person from sleep. The pain is worse when the stomach is empty, so one should avoid hunger. Stomach ulcers can subside for a while but may return after a few weeks, making it essential to consult a doctor for treatment. The most common symptom is a burning pain that can feel like it extends from the chest to above the navel. This pain is caused by stomach acid contacting the damaged area. Increased indigestion is another sign of stomach ulcers, where a person might experience burping orhiccups. Another symptom includes mild or severe nausea due to changes in fluid volume, typically feeling nauseous when starving.Nauseaoccurs.
Several symptoms are related to stomach ulcers. The severity of symptoms depends on how serious the ulcer is; the most typical symptom is burning or pain in the middle of the abdomen, usually occurring when the stomach is empty, and the pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
Other common symptoms of stomach ulcers include:
- Mild stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Not wanting to eat because of pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Feeling full quickly
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Chest burning sensation (feeling of burning in the chest)
- Pain that may worsen when eating, drinking, or taking antacidsAnemiaincreases
- (symptoms include fatigue,shortness of breathor pale skin)
- Dark and tarry stools
- Vomiting blood or a coffee grounds-like substancemay appearIf you have symptoms of a stomach ulcer, consult your doctor. Although discomfort may be mild, left untreated, they can worsen ulcers, and bleeding ulcers can be life-threatening.
When should you see a doctor?
If you think you have a stomach ulcer, contact your doctor to discuss symptoms and treatment options. It is important to take care of stomach ulcers because, if left untreated, they can lead to:
- Bleeding from the ulcer site, which can be life-threatening,
- Piercing, which occurs when the ulcer penetrates the walls of the digestive tract and reaches another organ, like the pancreas.
- Perforation, which occurs when ulcers cause holes in the walls of the digestive tract.
- Blockage in the digestive tract, caused by swelling of the surrounding tissues.
- Complications that may indicate
Stomach cancermay occurStomach cancer is six times more common in individuals with H. pylori infection compared to those without it. Symptoms of these complications may include the following; if you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor:
Weakness
- Breathing difficulties
- Vomiting or red or black stools.
- Sudden and severe abdominal pain that doesn’t go away.
- Natural treatments for stomach ulcers:
Nutrition:
Avoid spicy foods,
- caffeine, dairy, fried foods, and other foods that increase acid activity; the best approach is to eliminate sugar and processed foods. Eat plenty of vegetables (kale, spinach,broccoli, etc.),celeryand avocado and productsfrom coconutas well.Sprinkle sea salt on your food.
- Swallow green unripe bananas.
- Drink the juice of certain cabbages.
- Consume raw honey, cinnamon, and garlic (natural antimicrobials).
- Eat red pepper.
- Treating stomach ulcers with honeyThere is an interesting method for treating stomach ulcers found in ancient texts where honey plays a vital role. It is reported that regular consumption of 1 tablespoon
of raw honey
with a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powderdaily can help treat stomach conditions and eradicate stomach ulcers.Stomach UlcersCauses and Treatments for Stomach UlcersStomach Cancer Symptoms