Stomach Ulcers
The Best Cure For Stomach Ulcers Is Your Doctor
When you have pain that goes far beyond occasional heartburn, there is a strong possibility that you might be suffering from stomach ulcers. This is not a condition to take lightly or to self-diagnose. The only way to effectively treat and possibly cure ulcers of the stomach is to be examined by the doctor immediately.
If you experiencing chronic pain in your abdomen especially after meals and you suspect it could be due to stomach ulcers, contact our staff at Trinity Primary Care immediately for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the symptoms get further aggravated.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers
Pain is the number one symptom of stomach ulcers. We are not talking about an occasional upset stomach, bouts of acid reflux or heartburn but chronic, wrenching pain that is usually centered in your upper abdomen or just below your breastbone. This is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloody vomit and stool, and gas or bloating. Some patients also report foul-smelling stool from time to time.
The pain can be so severe at times that it can and will, wake you up in the middle of the night. It usually occurs within hours of eating a meal, and can be quite painful to deal with. Some sufferers report that often the only way to make the pain go away is to eat something, anything. It will quell the pain for some time, until the next flare-up. This might be connected to the fact that some sufferers never lose their appetite, and actually gain too much weight before treatment, which can only aggravate it more.
Causes and Diagnosis of Stomach Ulcers
It is not completely certain as to what causes these ulcers to develop. They are usually located in the duodenum or in the intestine or within the stomach itself. They range from small holes to tears in the delicate lining and will leak or bleed continuously. Left untreated, they can become infected or lead to more serious medical conditions. Stress is one of the factors thought to cause this condition, as is smoking and too much alcohol abuse.
What is important is that you seek treatment immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms, especially stomach pain. All too frequently this condition is not detected until it has reached the stage where the ulcers begin to hemorrhage, and may need surgery to fix. The best way the doctor can look for ulcers is through an upper GI series. You drink barium, and a series of X-rays are shot. The barium will highlight the holes and their locations for the doctor.
Treatment
Generally, the goal is to reduce the amount of stomach acid in your system, and eliminate the irritation of the stomach ulcers. Other than surgery, which is only done as a last resort, this is the best way to let the ulcers heal. Beyond this, you have to be careful what you eat and drink, or the ulcers may return.
Stomach Ulcers
The Best Cure For Stomach Ulcers Is Your Doctor
When you have pain that goes far beyond occasional heartburn, there is a strong possibility that you might be suffering from stomach ulcers. This is not a condition to take lightly or to self-diagnose. The only way to effectively treat and possibly cure ulcers of the stomach is to be examined by the doctor immediately.
If you experiencing chronic pain in your abdomen especially after meals and you suspect it could be due to stomach ulcers, contact our staff at Trinity Primary Care immediately for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the symptoms get further aggravated.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers
Pain is the number one symptom of stomach ulcers. We are not talking about an occasional upset stomach, bouts of acid reflux or heartburn but chronic, wrenching pain that is usually centered in your upper abdomen or just below your breastbone. This is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloody vomit and stool, and gas or bloating. Some patients also report foul-smelling stool from time to time.
The pain can be so severe at times that it can and will, wake you up in the middle of the night. It usually occurs within hours of eating a meal, and can be quite painful to deal with. Some sufferers report that often the only way to make the pain go away is to eat something, anything. It will quell the pain for some time, until the next flare-up. This might be connected to the fact that some sufferers never lose their appetite, and actually gain too much weight before treatment, which can only aggravate it more.
Causes and Diagnosis of Stomach Ulcers
It is not completely certain as to what causes these ulcers to develop. They are usually located in the duodenum or in the intestine or within the stomach itself. They range from small holes to tears in the delicate lining and will leak or bleed continuously. Left untreated, they can become infected or lead to more serious medical conditions. Stress is one of the factors thought to cause this condition, as is smoking and too much alcohol abuse.
What is important is that you seek treatment immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms, especially stomach pain. All too frequently this condition is not detected until it has reached the stage where the ulcers begin to hemorrhage, and may need surgery to fix. The best way the doctor can look for ulcers is through an upper GI series. You drink barium, and a series of X-rays are shot. The barium will highlight the holes and their locations for the doctor.
Treatment
Generally, the goal is to reduce the amount of stomach acid in your system, and eliminate the irritation of the stomach ulcers. Other than surgery, which is only done as a last resort, this is the best way to let the ulcers heal. Beyond this, you have to be careful what you eat and drink, or the ulcers may return.