Stomach is an expanded J-shaped organ in the upper left region of the abdominal cavity. Between the distal or far end of the stomach and small intestine is the pyloric sphincter. This valve is especially important in determining how long food remain in the stomach. The stomach serves as a storage pouch, digestive organ and churn.

What is Stomach (Peptic) Ulcer?

An ulcer is an area of the skin or mucus membrane in which the tissue are gradually destroyed. An ulcer may be caused by the acid in gastric juice, peptic ulcer occurs in the mucus membrane of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) common in persons between ages of 30 to 45.

Peptic ulcers in the stomach are gastric ulcers, those in the duodenum are duodenal ulcers.

Causes of Stomach (Peptic) Ulcer

Below are few of the main causes of stomach ulcer, these includes:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Taking aspirin
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

Those are the major causative factors.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer

A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:

• Dull pain in the stomach
• Weight loss
• Not wanting to eat because of pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating
• Feeling easily full
• Burping or acid reflux
• Heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest)
• Pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
• Anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
• Dark, tarry stools
• Vomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds.

How Are Stomach Ulcers Diagnosed?

Diagnosis and treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer. To diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will review your medical history along with your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking.

To rule out H. pylori infection, a blood, stool, or breath test may be ordered. With a breath test, you’ll be instructed to drink a clear liquid and breathe into a bag, which is then sealed. If H. pylori is present, the breath sample will contain higher-than-normal levels of carbon dioxide.

Other tests and procedures used to diagnose stomach ulcers include:

Barium swallow: You drink a thick white liquid (barium) that coats your upper gastrointestinal tract and helps your doctor see your stomach and small intestine on X-rays.

Endoscopy (EGD): A thin, lighted tube is inserted through your mouth and into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This test is used to look for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that looks abnormal.
Endoscopic biopsy: A piece of stomach tissue is removed so it can be analyzed in a lab.

Ulcer Treatment

It’s important to promptly treat an ulcer. Talk to your doctor to discuss a treatment plan. If you have an actively bleeding ulcer, you’ll likely be hospitalized for intensive treatment with endoscopy and IV ulcer medications. You may also require a blood transfusion.

Nonsurgical treatment

If your stomach ulcer is the result of H. pylori, you’ll need antibiotics and drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs block the stomach cells that produce acid.

In addition to these treatments, your doctor may also recommend:

• H2 receptor blockers (drugs that also block acid production)
• Stopping use of all NSAIDs
• Follow-up endoscopy
• Probiotics (useful bacteria that may have a role in killing off H. pylori)
• Bismuth supplement

Symptoms of an ulcer may subside quickly with treatment. But even if your symptoms disappear, you should continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor.

This is especially important with H. pylori infections, to make sure that all bacteria are eliminated.

Side effects of medications used to treat stomach ulcers can include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain_

These side effects are typically temporary. If any of these side effects cause extreme discomfort, talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

Surgical Treatment of Ulcer

In very rare cases, a complicated stomach ulcer will require surgery. This may be the case for ulcers that:

• Continue to return
• Don’t heal
• Bleed
• Tear through the stomach
• Keep food from flowing out of the stomach into the small intestine

Surgery may include:

• Removal of the entire ulcer
• Taking tissue from another part of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer site
• Tying off a bleeding artery
• Cutting off the nerve supply to the stomach to reduce the production of stomach acid.

Diet Healing Power for Stomach Ulcer

In the past, it was thought that diet could cause ulcers. We know now this isn’t true. We also know that while the foods you eat won’t cause or cure a stomach ulcer, eating a healthful diet can benefit your intestinal tract and overall health.

In general, it’s a good idea to eat a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

That said, it’s possible that some foods play a role in eliminating H. pylori. Foods that may help fight off H. pylori or boost the body’s own healthy bacteria include; Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Radishes
Leafy Greens, such as Spinach and Kale.

Probiotic-rich foods, such as sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, yogurt (especially with lactobacillus and Sacharomyces), apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and olive oil.

Foods to avoid for Ulcer Patient

Since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.

Drugs that inhibit secretion of stomach acids are often effective in treatment, e.g antacids, having cabbage juice, eating a raw okro can help.

There are prepared medicines for effective treatment of stomach ulcers with meal plan.