- Stomach ulcers are also known as gastric ulcers; they develop within the lining of the stomach. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, in order to digest food, it is essential for the body to create strong acids. In a healthy stomach, the lining is protected by a mucus barrier that is capable of keeping the strong acids at bay. But when stressors cause the mucus lining to break down, painful stomach ulcerations develop.
- One of the most recognizable symptoms of a stomach ulcer is a dull ache. According to the University of Michigan Health System, this usually begins to appear between two and three hours after the last meal, or when hunger pangs develop. Once eating resumes and the stomach refills, the dull ache usually subsides until it the stomach is empty again.
- When a stomach ulcer progresses and remains untreated, bleeding can occur. This is what is known as a "bleeding ulcer." A bleeding stomach ulcer can create extreme pain that is accompanied by a burning sensation in the lower area of the stomach. The Mayo Clinic explains that the burning pain might be accompanied by black stools that are a result of blood entering the digestive tract. Nausea and the vomiting of blood might also occur, along with weight loss.
- Diet changes are usually necessary to relieve the pain and irritation associated with stomach ulcers. Steering clear of spicy, fatty and acidic foods is suggested, along with avoiding any other foods that make stomach ulcer symptoms worse. The University of Maryland Medical Center also recommends avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. All of these items cause the stomach to create more acid, which slows the healing process.
- The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that diagnosing a bleeding stomach ulcer requires esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD; the exam allows a physician to determine how to help the patient heal. An EGD is performed by a licensed gastroenterologist and employs the use of a small video camera and long, slender tube. The EGD device enters the stomach via the mouth, offering a bird's-eye view of the ulcerated area in order for the gastroenterologist to determine the necessary treatment, or to perform a biopsy, if needed. The EGC might discover that surgery is necessary to stop the bleeding and the pain of a bleeding stomach ulcer.
