As these treatments can take several hours before they start to work, your GP may recommend taking additional antacid medication. Some antacids also contain a medicine called an alginate, which produces a protective coating on the lining of your stomach. Antacids containing alginates are best taken after meals. You can buy these medications at pharmacies. Your pharmacist can tell you which is most suitable for you. However, avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals.
Internal bleeding's the most common complication of stomach ulcers. It can occur when an ulcer develops at the site of a blood vessel. You should visit your GP if you have persistent symptoms of anaemia. If they think you have a stomach ulcer, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an examination and treatment. More about anaemia. Contact your GP or the NHS 24 service immediately if you have symptoms of more severe bleeding, including:. An endoscopy will be used to identify the cause of the bleeding.
Treatment can be given during the endoscopy to stop the bleeding. Blood transfusions may also be needed to replace the blood you've lost. Perforations are a rarer complication of stomach ulcers. This is when the lining of the stomach splits open. This can be very serious because it lets the bacteria that live in your stomach escape and infect the lining of your abdomen peritoneum.
This is known as peritonitis. In peritonitis, an infection can rapidly spread into the blood sepsis before spreading to other organs. This carries the risk of multiple organ failure and can be fatal if left untreated. The most common symptom of peritonitis is sudden abdominal pain, which gets steadily worse. Peritonitis is a medical emergency that requires hospital admission. In some cases, surgery may be needed.
In some cases, an inflamed swollen or scarred stomach ulcer can obstruct the normal passage of food through your digestive system. This is called a gastric outlet obstruction.
If the obstruction's caused by inflammation, proton pump inhibitors PPIs or H2-receptor antagonists can be used to reduce stomach acid levels until the swelling goes down. If the obstruction's caused by scar tissue, surgery may be needed. This can involve passing a small balloon through an endoscope and inflating it to widen the site of the obstruction.
Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcer See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About stomach ulcers 2. Stomach ulcer symptoms 3. Stomach ulcer causes 4. Stomach ulcer diagnosis 5. Stomach ulcer treatment 6. Stomach ulcer complications.
About stomach ulcers Stomach ulcers gastric ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. Symptoms of stomach ulcers Although the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen tummy. Some people experience: indigestion heartburn nausea feeling sick You should speak to your GP if you think you have a stomach ulcer.
More about the symptoms of a stomach ulcer Get urgent medical advice Speak to your GP immediately or phone the service if: your symptoms persist you're vomiting blood — the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance like coffee grounds you're passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse These could be a sign of a serious complication.
What causes stomach ulcers? This is usually caused by: an infection with Helicobacter pylori H. More about the causes of stomach ulcers Treating stomach ulcers You'll be treated using antibiotics if your ulcer was caused by a H. More about treating stomach ulcers Complications Complications are rare but can be very serious and potentially life-threatening.
The main complications include: bleeding at the site of the ulcer the stomach lining at the site of the ulcer splits open — known as perforation the ulcer blocks the movement of food through the digestive system — known as gastric obstruction More about the complications of stomach ulcers.
Stomach ulcer symptoms The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain that develops in your abdomen tummy. Tummy pain The pain caused by a stomach ulcer can either travel: out from the middle of your tummy up to your neck down to your belly button through to your back And: can last from a few minutes to a few hours often starts within a few hours of eating can cause you to wake up during the night Taking antacids indigestion medication may temporarily relieve the pain, but it will keep coming back if the ulcer isn't treated.
Less common symptoms Less common symptoms of a stomach ulcer include: indigestion heartburn loss of appetite feeling and being sick weight loss Some people also find they burp or become bloated after eating fatty foods. Stomach ulcer causes Stomach ulcers are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori H. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the digestive system gastroenterologist. It's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment.
Here's some information to help you get ready, and what you can expect from your doctor. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to cover.
Your doctor may ask:. While you're waiting to see your doctor, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods and stress may help lessen your discomfort. Peptic ulcer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Endoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus.
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Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kellerman RD, et al. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Accessed July 8, Peptic ulcer disease. American College of Gastroenterology. Peptic ulcers stomach ulcers. Feldman M, et al. Saunders Elsevier; Nehra AK, et al. Proton pump inhibitors: Review of emerging concerns. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Peptic ulcer disease adult. Mayo Clinic; Peptic ulcers.
A severe, untreated ulcer can sometimes burn through the wall of the stomach, allowing digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity. This medical emergency is known as a perforated ulcer. Treatment generally requires immediate surgery. Special diets are now known to have very little impact on the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers. Treatment options can include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly.
Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Around half of cases of anal fissures heal by themselves with proper self-care and avoidance of constipation. Anyone of any age can be struck by appendicitis, but it seems to be more common during childhood and adolescence. Barium tests are used to examine conditions of the digestive tract such as reflux, narrowing or ulceration. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.
Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.
The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Stomach ulcer. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of stomach ulcers The stomach Causes of stomach ulcers Helicobacter pylori Ulcer bleeding Perforated ulcer Diagnosis of a stomach ulcer Treatment for a stomach ulcer Where to get help Things to remember.
If present, they can include: abdominal pain just below the ribcage indigestion nausea loss of appetite vomiting weight loss bright or altered blood present in vomit or bowel motions symptoms of anaemia, such as light-headedness shock due to blood loss — a medical emergency.
The stomach The stomach is an organ of the digestive system, located in the abdomen just below the ribs and on the left. Causes of stomach ulcers A stomach ulcer can be caused by a variety of factors, including: Helicobacter pylori — bacteria is thought to be responsible for around 60 per cent of stomach ulcers and at least 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers.
Certain medications — which include aspirin or clopidogrel, taken regularly to help prevent heart attack or stroke, and drugs for arthritis.
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