Ulcers & Back Pain
For many people who wake up in the middle of the night with back pain, or have it occur during the day, the idea of an ulcer never crosses their mind. They quickly go through a laundry list of symptoms in their head and come up with several possibilities, including heart attack or pulled muscle. While these conditions can also create back pain and should be evaluated by a medical professional, the pain in your back could in fact be caused by an ulcer.
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Types
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Ulcers occur when inflammation, or holes, are found in the stomach lining. The three most common forms of ulcers are the peptic ulcer, the gastric ulcer and the duodenal ulcer. Each of them has its own set of symptoms and complications and should be evaluated and treated by a medical professional.
Symptoms
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Ulcers can have several different symptoms, which can be confusing and make diagnosing more difficult. Some of the commonly shared ulcer symptoms include a gnawing, burning or aching pain in the stomach that often times will go all the way through to the back. In addition, people with ulcers often describe a severe stabbing back pain. Where the pain in the back is located often depends on the type of ulcer it is.
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Complications
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Ulcers can also create other symptoms that go along with the back pain. These symptoms can include black or bloody stools, vomiting that becomes severe or looks bloody or like coffee grounds, and very severe stomach pain. When any of these symptoms occur with or without back pain it is important to seek emergency medical advice as soon as possible.
Frequency
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According to the National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse approximately 5 to 10 percent of the current population will develop a peptic ulcer at some point during their lives. In addition, the clearinghouse advises that ulcers occur more often in men than in women and that children can develop ulcers, though it is a rare occurrence. Duodenal ulcers are the most common form of ulcer and usually occur between 25 and 45.
Treatment
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The treatment of an ulcer usually involves medication. Many over-the-counter medications can be used to treat the back pain and nausea that comes with having an ulcer. In addition, if it is determined the patient has an ulcer caused by a bacterial infection, the physician will prescribe antibiotics that target the bacteria.
Risk Factors
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Risk factors for the development of ulcers include smoking, excessive use of alcohol or a genetic predisposition to developing an ulcer. Years ago it was believed that stress or worry caused ulcers by increasing the amount of stomach acid in the body, but today it is believed that ulcers are not caused by stress, though they can be aggravated by stress.
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