5 Facts You should Know About Peptic Ulcers
Abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, blood in the stool, painful abdominal or bowel movements, if you are facing or experiencing any of these symptoms, then you are probably suffering from stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers are not only painful but they also make you weak, unable to eat and concentrate on other things in life. It helps when you get it treated as soon as possible. It is also important to know about it as much as possible so you would know what you are suffering from and also know if you are getting the right and the appropriate treatment. Here are some facts that will help you know more about peptic ulcer.
1. Peptic ulcer or stomach ulcer is a break in the tissue lining of the stomach wall. The lining of the stomach, the mucosa or gastric epithelium is layered with multiple folds. Ulcers occur in this lining. It either occurs in the stomach or in the upper part of the small intestine that leads out of the stomach called the duodenum.
2. It was quite wrongly assumed for a very long time that stress, bad food, drinking and smoking were the principal causes of ulcers in the stomach, but now it has been established that it is caused by a bacterial infection, more specifically the Helicobacter Pylori. Helicobacter Pylori is said to cause almost 65% of all stomach and duodenum ulcers. Certain medications are also said to cause stomach ulcers. Aspirin or clopidogrel, taken regularly to help prevent heart attack or stroke, and drugs for arthritis are known to cause ulcers. Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) are also thought to cause around two fifths of stomach ulcers. Stomach cancer in elderly patients can also present itself as stomach ulcers.
3. Some stomach ulcers do not have any symptoms. But with some ulcers, the symptoms may be bad and can cause some serious trouble. The symptoms include abdominal pain just below the ribcage, indigestion, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, bright or altered blood present in vomit or bowel motions, symptoms of anemia, such as lightheadedness and shock due to blood loss which is a medical emergency. Bleeding in the stomach is a serious cause for concern, especially in elder patients, as they can go into shock because of the blood loss and it can prove to be quite fatal.
