Stomach ulcer is also known as gastric ulcer. These are painful sores that develop into the stomach lining. In this condition, the thick protective layer of mucus that protects your stomach lining gets thinned out. This makes digestive acids erode the tissues that line the stomach, causing ulcers.
Stomach ulcers may easily be treated, but they can become severe without proper treatment.
There are three types of ulcers:
Symptoms
A burning sensation or severe pain in the centre of your abdomen between your chest and belly button is the most common symptom.
Other symptoms are a sense of fullness, loss of appetite, bloating or vomiting.
DIAGNOSIS
In diagnosing a stomach ulcer, your doctor will ask about your medical history and he/she will conduct some tests to diagnose a stomach ulcer.
The following are the tests to be conducted when diagnosing a stomach ulcer:
Barium swallow. In this test you will drink a thick white liquid that will coat your gastrointestinal for your doctor to see your stomach and intestines on x-ray.
Endoscopy (EGD). In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the mouth, stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This procedure can detect ulcers, bleeding, or masses.
Endoscopic biopsy. In this procedure, a piece of stomach tissue is removed so it can be examined in the laboratory.
MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT
Treatment will vary depending on the cause. Most ulcers can be treated with medicines. In serious ulcers, surgery may be required. There are two types of treatment: the non-surgical treatment which needs drugs called proton pump inhibitors while surgical treatment requires surgery.
It is very important to immediately treat an ulcer. Talk to your health expert to discuss a treatment plan.
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]
