3. Swelling, flatulence, and belching
The speed of digestion of a person with gastric ulcers can decrease considerably. For that reason, food will remain longer in both the stomach and the intestinal tract. This condition generates a feeling of swelling due to the accumulation of gases resulting from excessive fermentation of food. Consequently, these gases get out from the body through two pathways: going up the esophagus and reaching the mouth (belching), or following the path of the intestine until reaching the anus (flatulence). Therefore, while a healthy person expels gases between 10 and 20 times a day, it is common for someone with gastric ulcers to burp or have flatulence more frequently and with a generally foul smell.