Stomach Ulcers Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Stomach Ulcers
A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, is a sore or lesion that develops on the inner lining of the stomach. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Stomach Ulcers
Causes of Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are typically characterized by a breakdown of the protective mucous lining of the stomach, which exposes the underlying tissue to stomach acid and digestive juices. This can lead to pain, discomfort, and potential complications.
- A bacterium: Helicobacter pylori bacteria commonly live in the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. Often, the H. pylori bacterium causes no problems, but it can cause inflammation of the stomach’s inner layer, producing an ulcer.
- Regular use of certain pain relievers: Taking aspirin, as well as certain over-the-counter and prescription pain medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can irritate or inflame the lining of your stomach and small intestine. These medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others), ketoprofen and others. They do not include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: This is a rare condition that causes your stomach to produce too much gastric acid.
- Severe Physiological stress: Severe illness, burns or injuries can produce stress ulcers in the stomach. Physiological stress changes your body’s PH balance, increasing stomach acid. Stress ulcers develop very quickly in response to stress, unlike normal stomach ulcers that develop gradually.
- Other Medications: Taking certain other medications along with NSAIDs, such as steroids, anticoagulants, low-dose aspirin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel), can greatly increase the chance of developing ulcers.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers:
- Burning stomach pain
- Feeling of fullness, bloating or belching
- Intolerance to fatty foods
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting or vomiting blood — which may appear red or black
- Dark blood in stools, or stools that are black or tarry
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling faint
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
Treatments
Antibiotics
If H. pylori was found in your digestive tract, your healthcare provider will prescribe some combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, based on your medical history and condition. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include tetracycline, metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
These drugs help reduce stomach acid and protect your stomach lining. PPIs include esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole.
Histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers)
These reduce stomach acid by blocking the chemical that tells your body to produce it (histamines). H2 blockers include famotidine, cimetidine and nizatidine.
Antacids
These common over-the-counter medicines help to neutralize stomach acid. They may bring some symptom relief, but they aren’t enough to heal your ulcer. They also might interfere with some antibiotics.
Cytoprotective agents
These medicines help to coat and protect your stomach lining. They include sucralfate and misoprostol.
Bismuth Subsalicylate
This over-the-counter medicine, commonly found as Pepto-Bismol, can help coat and protect your ulcer from stomach acid.
Frequently Asked Question on Stomach Ulcers
A stomach or gastric ulcer is a break in the tissue lining of the stomach. Most stomach ulcers are caused by infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium or anti-inflammatory medication, not stress or poor diet as once thought. Treatment options include antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications.
There are a number of drinks that may help soothe stomach ulcers, including green cabbage juice, kombucha, honey water, and turmeric tea. These drinks all have anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties that can help protect the stomach lining.
Foods that can help heal a peptic ulcer include: Apples. Bananas. Beans and legumes.
Hot water is not recommended for stomach ulcers. Any water that is heated above 60 degrees Celsius is not suitable for the gastric mucosa. Drinking cold water is good because it can reduce the irritation of the gastric mucosa. You can also consult your doctor and get additional tips.
Apples, buttermilk, yogurt, kimchi, Honey, garlic, cranberry, mastic, vegetables, soybeans, green tea & broccoli.