A stomach ulcer or gastric ulcer is an ulcer in the mucous membrane of the stomach. As is the case with duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers are also one of the forms of peptic ulcer disease, as the prevalence rate of stomach ulcers in Western society is less than the prevalence of duodenal ulcers, and they generally appear at a more advanced age.
Its prevalence is greatest at the age of 50-60 years.
stomach ulcer symptoms
The symptoms of stomach ulcers are many, and the main symptom of the disease is abdominal pain.
Pain may appear when eating or after a certain time, and it may even awaken a stomach ulcer patient from his sleep. Additional stomach ulcer symptoms include the following:
Nausea, with or without vomiting
low weight.
Bloody vomiting and black stools are symptoms that require clarification to ensure that there is no peptic ulcer.
Causes and risk factors for stomach ulcers
The main causes of injury include the following
1. Helicobacter pylori infection
Stomach ulcer is one of the forms of peptic ulcer disease. Stomach ulcer occurs as a result of an imbalance between harmful factors such as Helicobacter pylori and the defense mechanisms of the stomach mucosa on the other hand.
Contamination with Helicobacter pylori appears in 70% of cases of stomach ulcers, and unlike patients with duodenal ulcers, the degree of acid secretion in the stomach in patients with stomach ulcers is lower than that of healthy people.
In other words, the injury to the gastric mucosal defense mechanism seems to be the main reason for the development of gastric ulcers.
2. Taking medications
Another important reason for the formation of stomach ulcers is the use of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs). These drugs intended to treat pain and inflammation in the joints inhibit the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 1 (Cyclooxygenase - 1) and harm the production of prostaglandins. (Prostaglandins), which are vital substances to protect the gastric mucosa.
Widespread treatment with these drugs in recent years, especially among the elderly, has led to a significant increase in the percentage of patients with stomach ulcers and their complications such as severe bleeding.
Complications of stomach ulcers
The most prominent complications include the following
Bleeding at the ulcer site.
Perforation of the lining of the stomach at the site of the ulcer split.
Bowel obstruction.
Diagnosis of stomach ulcers
Diagnosis is made through the following
1. Endoscopy
The most accurate examination for diagnosing stomach ulcers is endoscopy of the upper digestive tract. To perform this examination, a flexible tube with a very small video camera attached to the end is ed into the cavity of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
This examination allows a close view of the mucous membrane of the stomach and a sample of tissue at the edges of the ulcer with the aim of pathological examination to confirm or deny the presence of H. pylori, and in order to avoid the patient feeling uncomfortable during the examination. It is performed under local anesthesia of the pharynx or by the introduction of sedatives intravenously before Start the examination.
2. X-rays
Another test for the diagnosis of stomach ulcers is x-rays of the stomach and duodenum after administration of contrast material (Barium).
Although there are typical signs that distinguish between a benign ulcer and a malignant ulcer, it is preferable in all cases to perform an endoscopy examination with the aim of biopsy and to rule out the presence of malignant tumors.
Stomach ulcer treatment
Treatment of stomach ulcers is divided into two main cases
1. Proven infection with Helicobacter pylori
The treatment is done as follows
Antibiotics must be taken to completely eradicate Helicobacter pylori, which is what is known today as triple therapy consisting of three antibiotics: metronidazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin.
Treatment with antisecretory drugs that help ulcers heal better.
Consult a doctor about the possibility of stopping taking pain-relieving medications from NSAIDs.
2. No proven H. pylori infection
First of all, the doctor must make sure that there is no infection with this germ by more than one examination, as one negative examination for the absence of this germ is not sufficient for actual confirmation, and treatment methods include the following:
Treatment with antisecretory drugs, which help ulcers heal better, as there are three main categories of these drugs:
Proton pump inhibitors.
Histamine receptor blockers.
Medicines containing synthetic prostaglandins such as: Misoprostol.
3. Treatment of giant ulcers
In this case, in addition to all the treatment possibilities that were previously mentioned, it is recommended in this type of treatment with proton pump inhibitors for a long period of time over 12 weeks.
In addition to the need for an internal endoscopy to review the ulcer site, due to the increased risk in these types of ulcers for the formation of a malignant tumor.
It is also recommended to resort to surgical treatment of stomach ulcers in the event that malignant tumors are confirmed or when malignant tumors are suspected, after the failure of appropriate and continuous treatment in healing the ulcer.
Prevention of stomach ulcers
Prevention methods include the following
Avoid foods that irritate the stomach.
stop smoking.
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with food. As this may reduce the risk of irritating the stomach lining.
Learn to control your stress levels.
