Symptoms of stomach ulcers that you should be aware of

Gastric ulcers are digestive diseases characterized by inflammation due to open sores in the lining of the stomach wall. These sores arise because the acidic fluid continues to erode the mucus that lines the inner walls of your stomach. What are the symptoms or characteristics of a stomach ulcer to look out for?

How can the symptoms of stomach ulcers appear?

Sores, aka ulcers, can appear in the stomach if the inner walls are not functioning and as strong as they should be. The inner wall of the stomach is normally covered with thick mucus which serves to protect the wall tissue from the strong effects of gastric acid.

However, the following things can cause the mucus layer to break down and thin out so that exposure to acid can erode the stomach wall:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection
Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
Smoking and drinking alcohol

What are the common symptoms of stomach ulcers?

Ulcers occur when the stomach wall is eroded and then injured, so that the acidic fluid hits the deeper tissues. When a stomach ulcer has occurred, the characteristics that appear include:

1. Stomach pain

Stomach pain is the most common and typical symptom of stomach ulcers. Abdominal pain occurs as a direct result of injury to the lining of the stomach.

The pain will usually be felt in the upper middle of the abdomen, above the navel, and below the breastbone (gut). This is because sores generally form on the top of the stomach near the end of the esophagus (throat), and at the beginning of the small intestine. Pain can also be a burning sensation.

The pain is most pronounced when your stomach is empty which can last from a few minutes to several hours. Stomach pain can also be felt at night.

2. Changes in eating habits

One of the characteristics of a stomach ulcer that is often underestimated is a change in diet. Dr. Elizabeth Lowden, MD, an endocrinologist at the Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, says stomach ulcers can make a person get used to eating more or less than usual.

Some people choose to eat more often and more to prevent their stomach from being empty for a long time. Gradually, excessive eating like this can cause weight gain.

On the other hand, there are also people who eat less because the pain often recurs when the stomach is digesting food. As a result, the person is lazy to eat and the weight slowly decreases.

3. Easily full

Another symptom of stomach ulcers that you should be aware of is that you are easily full. This could be a sign that your digestive organs, especially your intestines, are not working properly.

When the stomach and intestines are injured, the food that enters is digested slowly. Digestion that runs slowly makes it easier for you to feel full because the food in the stomach is not fully digested by the body.

4. Burp often

Gastric ulcer symptoms caused by H. Pylori infection often cause belching. Belching occurs when the stomach and intestines can't digest food properly because they are injured or have ulcers.

The remaining food that is not completely digested will continue to travel from the small intestine to the large intestine. However, over time, these foods will produce gas in the form of a mixture of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane trapped in the digestive system.

In the end, you often burp or even fart to remove excess gas from digestion.

5. Esophagus burns

Gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria can increase the amount of acid and destroy the protective mucus layer of the stomach.

As a result, this can irritate the digestive tract, especially the esophagus (esophagus) and stomach. Stomach acid can rise up into the throat and produce a burning sensation that radiates from the stomach to the chest. These features of a stomach ulcer are also known in medical terms as heartburn.

6. Nausea and vomiting

The sensation of nausea and even vomiting is common in people who experience symptoms of stomach ulcers. Nausea and vomiting can occur when stomach acid flows back up

Symptoms of stomach ulcers that should check with a doctor

Symptoms of common peptic ulcers can get worse if not treated promptly. You should contact your doctor if you have been diagnosed with symptoms of an ulcer or stomach ulcer, and have experienced one or more of the following suspicious symptoms:

The vomit is dark or mixed with blood because the wound on the stomach wall is so severe that it causes bleeding.
Black stool or mixed with blood, both indicate that an ulcer in your stomach or small intestine has caused bleeding.
Experiencing symptoms of anemia in the form of dizziness, weakness, fatigue and lethargy, and facial skin looks pale because the body lacks blood. Also, be on the lookout if you easily feel like passing out.
Constantly experiencing severe back pain. This may indicate that the ulcer has drilled into the abdominal wall.

Immediately see a doctor to check whether the symptoms you are experiencing really refer to complications of gastric ulcers. The earliest possible examination can help the doctor prevent the risk of bleeding in the stomach and perforation (perforation) in the abdominal tissue.

Your doctor will help you find the cause, as well as recommend medications for stomach ulcers and the right treatment. Some of the drugs commonly used to treat the characteristics of stomach ulcers include antacids, proton pomp inhibitor (PPI) drugs, antibiotics, or H2 blockers.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer can recur, if …

A person who has a stomach ulcer should follow medication and home care. The reason is, the symptoms can recur at any time after being triggered by various things, as reported by the Mayo Clinic website.

Stress

Stress is known to worsen the symptoms of stomach ulcers by triggering the production of more stomach acid. Therefore, people with stomach ulcers should not be stressed and do their best to reduce stress, for example doing things they like.

Cigarette smoke and alcohol

Just like stress, cigarette smoke and alcohol can also stimulate the cells in the lining of the stomach to produce more stomach acid than is needed. So, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol is one way to prevent recurrence of stomach ulcer symptoms.

Spicy and sour food

People who have stomach ulcers must be careful in choosing food. The reason is, spicy and sour foods can trigger symptoms or even worsen sores in the stomach.

In some cases, people who drink milk or eat dairy-based foods also report recurrence of gastric ulcer symptoms.

Lack of sleep

Staying up late or staying up late makes bedtime messy. This habit also makes you sleep deprived.

Reduced sleep time can affect hormones and the performance of the body's organs, including the production of stomach acid, which is more than usual. This of course can trigger the symptoms of stomach ulcers to recur.