Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine. They’re usually formed as a result of inflammation caused by the bacteria H. pylori, as well as from erosion from stomach acids. Peptic ulcers are a fairly common health problem.
There are three types of peptic ulcers:
Gastric ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the stomach; esophageal ulcers that develop inside the esophagus and duodenal ulcers: ulcers that develop in the upper section of the small intestines, called the duodenum
Causes of peptic ulcers
Different factors can cause the lining of the stomach, the esophagus, and the small intestine to break down. These include: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria that can cause a stomach infection and inflammation.
Frequent use of aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil), and other anti-inflammatory drugs (risk associated with this behaviour increases in women and people over the age of 60)
Others are smoking, drinking too much alcohol, radiation therapy and stomach cancer
Symptoms of peptic ulcers
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the navel to the chest, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain may wake you up at night. Small peptic ulcers may not produce any symptoms in the early phases.
Other common signs of a peptic ulcer include: changes in appetite, nausea,
bloody or dark stools, unexplained weight loss, indigestion, vomiting and chest pain
Complications
Untreated ulcers can become worse over time. They can lead to other more serious health complications such as:
Perforation: A hole develops in the lining of the stomach or small intestine and causes an infection. A sign of a perforated ulcer is sudden, severe abdominal pain.
Internal bleeding: Bleeding ulcers can result in significant blood loss and thus require hospitalisation. Signs of a bleeding ulcer include lightheadedness, dizziness, and black stools.
Scar tissue: This is thick tissue that develops after an injury. This tissue makes it difficult for food to pass through your digestive tract. Signs of scar tissue include vomiting and weight loss.
All three complications are serious and may require surgery. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms: sudden, sharp abdominal pain, fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion, as these may be signs of shock, blood in vomit or stool, abdomen that’s hard to the touch, abdominal pain that worsens with movement but improves with lying completely still
Outlook for peptic ulcers
With proper treatment, most peptic ulcers heal. However, you may not heal if you stop taking your medication early or continue to use tobacco, alcohol, and nonsteroidal pain relievers during treatment.
Some ulcers, called refractory ulcers, don’t heal with treatment. If your ulcer doesn’t heal with the initial treatment, this can indicate: an excessive production of stomach acid, presence of bacteria other than H. pylori in the stomach, another disease, such as stomach cancer or Crohn’s disease
How to prevent peptic ulcers
Certain lifestyle choices and habits can reduce your risk of developing peptic ulcers. These include: not drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day, not mixing alcohol with medication, washing your hands frequently to avoid infections, limiting your use of ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve)
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking cigarettes and other tobacco use and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help you prevent developing a peptic ulcer.
