Gastric ulcer is a small ulcer on the stomach lining and soft tissue caused by hyperacidity in the stomach or an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). One third of all Australian population has gastric ulcers caused by this bacterium. Many of those who have these ulcers do not feel any pain while some others do.
Symptoms
• Mild or severe burning sensation or pain in the abdominal area
• stomach ache (like hunger pain)
• Starting to feel the pain 45-60 minutes after eating or during the night
• Better after taking antacids or drinking a lot of water
• Dark or bloody stool
• Other symptoms may include lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, headache and shock.
These ulcers usually occur in either the stomach or the first part of the small intestine that leads out of the stomach (duodenum).
Causes
• H. pylori bacterium is known to be responsible for one third of all gastric ulcers in Australian population in which 90% found the bacteria in the duodenum and 70% found it in the stomach.
• Generally, bacterial infection alone cannot cause gastric ulcers. However, together with other contributing factors such as stress, wrong eating habits and genetics it can increase the output of stomach acid that burns the mucus membrane of the stomach (mucosa), the first part of the intestines (duodenum) and the gullet (esophagus).
• Individuals whose ability to produce gastric juice or antioxidant in the stomach is lower tend to be more susceptible to infections from H. pylori. Many of those infected with this bacterium have suffered from chronic inflammatory of the stomach (inflammatory of the stomach lining) which later turns into gastric ulcers.
• The tissue of the inflamed area is very sensitive and thus when in contact with stomach acid, it causes a burning pain.
• The goal of treating gastric ulcer is to neutralize or dilute the acidity of the gastric juice along with bacterial infection treatment.
Taking care of yourself
Although, you do not have any symptoms of gastric ulcers yet, your doctor may recommend you to test for H. pylori bacterium for if any infection has occurred, you may have more tendency to develop gastric ulcer.
Fine chew your food to help the digestive function. Fast eating or eating under stress can lead to imbalance of the digestive system and enzymes and the absorption of nutrients.
Note
Gastric ulcers can be critical. Consult your doctor when you:
• haematemesis
• have bloody stool or find coffee-bean like sediments in the stool
• have severe stomach pain
Log In
;void(0);)
