6 Danger due to untreated chronic and acute ulcer disease

Almost everyone has experienced ulcers without them knowing it. Yes, ulcers are a collection of symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, bloating, and pain and heartburn. So generally, many people underestimate the symptoms of ulcers, which initially are acute, often turn chronic and cause danger. In fact, what are the consequences of ulcer disease that is not treated properly? Come on, find out the answer below.

The dangers of untreated and chronic ulcer disease

Ulcers that attack can arise by various things. Starting from a poor diet, smoking and drinking alcohol, or other underlying diseases, such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), GERD, or stomach ulcers.

In mild ulcer symptoms, usually avoiding triggers can be used as treatment. However, in people whose ulcer is a medical problem, treatment needs to be combined with medication.

If not, either acute or chronic ulcers can lead to other dangerous diseases due to inflammation or worsening of the wound.

Some health problems that arise due to acute and chronic gastritis due to untreated include:

1. Esophagitis (due to the most common ulcer disease)

Chronic or acute gastritis can cause dangers, such as esophagitis. This indicates that there is inflammation that can damage the tissue in the esophagus.

This untreated ulcer disease will interfere with the function of the esophagus, which is to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Finally, esophagitis will cause symptoms of difficulty swallowing, pain in the chest, and difficulty swallowing.

2. Esophageal stricture

One of the symptoms of an ulcer, namely heartburn, is usually caused by excess stomach acid rising into the esophagus and irritating the mucous lining (mucous membrane). If heartburn occurs repeatedly, the irritation will get worse and make the esophagus hurt.

The wound will narrow the space in the esophagus and this is what is called an esophageal stricture. Complications due to ulcer disease, usually will cause symptoms, include:

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Food gets stuck in the throat because of the tight space
Chest pain

Of course, the symptoms that appear can make it difficult for a person to get nutrition from food or drink properly, so that they risk causing malnutrition. If this condition has occurred, the doctor will recommend a surgical process to widen the esophagus and throat.

3. Pyloric stenosis

Between the stomach and the small intestine is a muscular valve known as pyloric stenosis. This valve is responsible for holding the food that is digested in the stomach first, then flows into the intestines.

As a result of persistent acute or chronic gastritis, excess stomach acid will thicken these muscular valves. This condition will cause the food pathway to get to the intestine to become narrowed.

People with ulcer complications will develop symptoms of vomiting after eating, constant hunger, and dehydration.

Diseases that arise from acute or chronic gastritis can be dangerous. The reason is because it can make it difficult for a person to get nutrition and have an impact on the development and overall health of the body.

4. Esophageal diarrhea and esophageal cancer

Having acute or chronic ulcers, puts you in danger if you don't treat them properly. Reporting from the pages of the American Cancer Society, the symptoms of ulcers due to GERD can cause harm because they increase the risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer.

GERD is a condition that causes stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus. Acid produced by the stomach does not cause problems in the stomach because the stomach has a protective coating. However, this will be a problem when stomach acid hits the esophagus.

The more often the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid, the squamous cells that line the esophagus will be eroded and replaced by glandular cells that normally exist in the human intestine. This condition will cause Barrett's esophagus.

Most people with this condition experience symptoms similar to those of GERD, namely pain and heat in the chest to throat accompanied by stomach ulcers.

Over time, the glandular cells in the esophagus in people who have Barrett's esophagus become abnormal due to continued exposure to stomach acid. Finally, the cells grow uncontrollably and cause cancer.

In the early stages of cancer development, there are no symptoms. New symptoms will appear when the cancer has entered an advanced stage. Symptoms that may occur include coughing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn.

5. Bleeding and stomach cancer

Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach is a disease that causes ulcer symptoms. As a result of not being treated properly, this disease that causes ulcer symptoms can cause bleeding in the stomach.

If it has caused bleeding, another symptom that accompanies an ulcer is black stool accompanied by severe abdominal pain.

In some cases, inflammation can lead to changes in normal cells and progress to stomach cancer.

Tips to avoid complications from ulcers

Although it is common, you should not underestimate the symptoms of an attacking ulcer. Immediately find out the cause, and make the trigger as a taboo so that the ulcer does not recur.

If you feel that the symptoms of an ulcer are mild, you can relieve it by drinking ginger water and maintaining your diet. Ginger contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation while relieving nausea and vomiting.

Don't forget to improve your diet, such as avoiding spicy, acidic and high-fat foods, and not sleeping anymore after eating.

If this method doesn't work, try to take ulcer medication without a prescription that is sold in pharmacies, such as antacids. If it does not improve and interferes with activities, consult a doctor. With a doctor's care, you can avoid the dangers of complications from acute or chronic gastritis.