Facts on Stomach Ulcers, Treatment and Prevention

What is a stomach ulcer?

Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are sores that develop in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine lining.

An ulcer does occur when the mucus layer is worn away and stops functioning effectively, this causes the stomach acid to damage the lining of the digestive tract.

Stomach ulcers might become intense if there is no proper treatment. It is highly recommended that a person suffering from stomach ulcers get treatment at the early stage of it.

According to the WHO data that was published in 2020, over a hundred thousand cases of stomach ulcers are common in Nigeria.

 

What are the causes of stomach ulcers?

You might wonder, what could be the cause of stomach ulcers?

Some persons have drawn a conclusion that starving could trigger stomach ulcers and many other reasons. Well, there could be only two actual causes of stomach ulcers:

• Prolonged usage of pain relievers called Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) This causes a high risk of stomach ulcers.
• Helicobacter pylori  (H. pylori) causes gastric and duodenal ulcers. It affects the mucus that protects your stomach and small intestine, which allows for stomach acid to damage the lining.

Other causes of stomach ulcers are Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (which increases stomach acid production). Excessive stomach acidity(i.e stress, smoking, genetics, and some meals).

Facts on stomach ulcers

Some stomach ulcers do not even give you any signs, and in most cases, there are not common. Doctors’ research shows that such type of ulcer leads to bleeding by the time it is noticed. This shows that symptoms of stomach ulcers vary over time, it could be one factor or another that causes it. Excess alcohol consumption, frequent use of steroids, and excess calcium in the blood are also factors that trigger stomach ulcers. Gone are the days when ulcer only affects people between the ages of 60 and above; today it affects all ages including children. And one of the reasons it affects children is when a child’s parents are smokers. For treatment to work effectively, you might need to focus on the cause just as I’ve mentioned above. Below, you will find other symptoms of stomach ulcers you shouldn’t neglect.

Don’t neglect these symptoms of stomach ulcers

There are several symptoms associated with stomach ulcers, but the main symptom of stomach ulcers is indigestion which is also called dyspepsia. People who are suffering from it complain of intense pains when their stomach is empty and this can last for several minutes or hours. Speaking of some people, I have some friends who have been through these stages of stomach ulcers before.

I’ve had to witness it myself once. I was out with my friend one Sunday afternoon, we had just closed from church service when I noticed she was holding her stomach and whimpering. When I asked what the problem was, she told me her stomach was ‘biting’ her. Meanwhile, before then she never told me she had a stomach ulcer. Initially, I thought it was hunger because I remembered we didn’t have breakfast before leaving that morning. Only for her to explain she had a stomach ulcer. She went further to explain that when her stomach is empty, it results in a gnawing pain in the middle of her abdomen. It took a couple of hours before she felt relieved and that was after I recommended GOTEA Ulcer Solution Tea which cured the ulcer she had.

After that day I realized stomach ulcers could be really deadly if not treated.

Other symptoms of stomach ulcers are:

• bloating
• nausea or vomiting
• burping
• not eating regularly because of the pain
• decreased appetite
• heartburn
• weight loss
• anemia

Sometimes you might make the mistake of taking these stomach ulcer symptoms mildly. Don’t sit and relax for it to get worst before you treat it. Speak to a doctor to know your level of ulcer, before commencing treatments.

Treatment for stomach ulcers

Treating stomach ulcers depends on the cause of your stomach ulcer. The cause of your stomach ulcer determines the kind of prescription that will be given to you by a doctor. And in a few cases, they might recommend surgery to you. If you have a bleeding ulcer, you’ll be hospitalized for in-depth treatment using endoscopy and IV ulcer medications. And if is too severe, you might need a blood transfusion. There are three types of treatments:

Nonsurgical treatment

If the doctor suspects the cause of your ulcer is H.pylori bacteria, you’ll be given drugs like:

• proton pump inhibitors (it blocks acid-producing cells)
• antacids
• H2 receptors blockers (protects the stomach from producing excess acids)
• Pepto-Bismol (it protects the stomach lining

Avoid consuming alcohol, smoking, and eating any foods that can disrupt the treatment.

There are side effects that are linked to using medications, they include:

• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• headache
• diarrhea
• nausea

These side effects are temporary, but if you feel uncomfortable after a while, please do not hesitate to see a doctor.

Surgical treatment

What if you’ve taken some or all the drugs listed above but the stomach ulcer did not heal, continues to return, prevents you from eating, and bleeding is involved? Then surgery is the next ideal step to carry out.

It could be any of these surgeries:

• sewing tissue from another site in the stomach onto the ulcer
• removing the ulcer completely
• cutting off the nerve that controls acid production
• binding up bleeding blood vessels

Natural treatment

Herbs have proven to be an effective method of healing so many ailments including ulcers. Drinking GOTEA Ulcer Solution Tea, or BIOGENIC Ulcer Tea can help heal all types of internal ulcers. It treats ulcers like:

• Gastric ulcer
• Esophageal ulcer
• Duodenal ulcer
• Hyperacidity
• Indigestion
• Heartburn

Other natural remedies for stomach ulcers include:

• supplement
• honey
• glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the body and it is used for the biosynthesis of protein. (Examples of glutamine are: cabbage, eggs, spinach, chicken, etc.)

These are natural treatments that have no side effects and have worked for some persons who have used them. You should give it a try as well.

How to prevent stomach ulcers

1. Bacteria when it is spread can lead to stomach ulcers. In order to prevent it, you need to practice good hygiene; endeavor to clean your cooking utensils. Cook your meal properly. Wash your hands regularly, and keep your surroundings clean.
2.  Stop taking Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or follow only the recommendations given by your doctor. Limit your usage of it if you are to take it, and when taking your medications endeavor to eat good meals. Avoid taking liquids i.e alcohol when taking your medications. Stay away from smoking, because it can increase the risk of digestive tract cancers.
3. Exercising regularly helps build the immune system and lowers inflammation.

Although the risk of developing an ulcer might be there, if you take these major steps, it’ll save you from having a stomach ulcer.

 

 

Written by Mary E. Linus