Imagine not being able to eat what you would like in a party, when everyone delights with your favorite food. People with stomach ulcers may have this problem quite often because they know if they allow themselves such pleasures, intense stomach pain might end up ruining the night. Stomach ulcers is one of the last stages of peptic disease, a chronic condition that is associated with increased acidity in the stomach and subsequent injury to the stomach lining.
Stomach ulcer might end up in stomach perforation and put your life at severe risk, and when caused by Helicobacter pylori it is often associated with stomach cancer. Is it possible to suspect stomach ulcer or a similar condition? Yes, it is. In the following paragraphs we will give you a list of 13 symptoms stomach ulcers produce, listed from the most common to the least common. This way, you will learn to identify this condition, and you can start treatment as soon as possible.
First of all, you must know that small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Indeed, about 75% of patients suffering from stomach ulcers have no signs whatsoever. Therefore, in most cases, the condition is discovered when the patient shows signs of anemia or an episode of bleeding from the digestive tract.
The top 12 signs and symptoms in patients with active and symptomatic stomach ulcers are as follows:
1. Abdominal pain or burning
It is one of the first symptoms that commonly appears. It is a dull ache usually located in the upper abdomen, between the sternum and the navel. It may appear: 1) during the night, 2) in the early hours of the morning, 3) a few hours after eating or 4) when you feel your stomach is empty. Sometimes, it can disappear after eating something or taking an antacid. Usually, this pain is intermittent, lasting from a few minutes to several hours, and coming and going for several days or weeks.
2. Abdominal distention
It is a visible increase in abdominal size. It is not a sensation, but an objective and visible sign that patients with gastric ulcers usually suffer. The relationship between stomach ulcers and intestinal gases is not entirely known. Even so, it is very likely that whoever has stomach ulcers, also suffers from abdominal enlargement, accompanied by swelling and flatulence. Together, these symptoms can cause discomfort at bedtime or in an awkward position, as pressure on the stomach and intestines increases.
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.
4. Acid reflux
When we eat, food passes through the esophagus and reaches the stomach where it is digested. Between these two organs, there is a valve that opens to let the food get to the stomach and closes when digestion begins. Inside the stomach, there is hydrochloric acid, a very corrosive substance responsible for breaking down food so they can continue their journey to the small intestine. This acid doesn’t damage the stomach because this organ is coated with mucosa that protects it. However, the esophagus does not have this protection. When the valve that separates them does not close properly, acid reflux occurs, and it is reported as a burning sensation that, although it originates in the esophagus, can reach the chest or throat. With stomach ulcers, this sensation can be constant. Besides, the intake of acidic foods will significantly enhance the burning you feel.
5. Regurgitation
It consists of the effortless return of small portions of the food content through the esophagus, to the oropharynx (the middle part of the throat that includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue and the tonsils). Sometimes, it brings with it some doses of hydrochloric acid. It usually happens after heartburn or along with it.
6. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea is that uncomfortable sensation that indicates the proximity of vomit, as well as the activation of muscles that trigger the gag reflex. In some cases, nausea is associated with dizziness and may or may not lead to vomiting. When patients with stomach ulcers vomit, all or part of the stomach contents is expelled. It occurs when the sores are near the entrance of the intestine (duodenum) or due to intolerance to certain foods. There may even be bloody vomits, which can be red or dark. It is indicative of bleeding and should be interpreted as an alarm signal. When this happens, it is necessary to go immediately to the doctor to have access to the due treatment.
7. A constant feeling of satiety
Even if you have eaten very little, you feel that you are no longer hungry. It occurs when gastric ulcers block the passage of food through the digestive tract, due to inflammation or scarring of the stomach walls. That, in turn, generates a quick feeling of satiety. Sometimes, it can also cause complications to drink the usual amount of water, so you are prone to dehydration. It is advisable to eat nutritious foods in liquid form to avoid possible bad nutrition.
8. Unexplained weight loss
It is a decrease in body weight when you are not planning it or making any changes to your diet or physical activity. It is considered unexplained weight loss when you lose 10 pounds, or 5% of your body weight, in a period of 6 to 12 months for no apparent reason. It is common for patients with gastric ulcers to lose weight even without trying. It occurs due to the feeling of early satiety and the appetite changes that you may feel but should be differentiated with other malignant and severe processes that cause unexplained weight loss.
9. Anemia
Anemia is caused by the lack of red blood cells or the presence of dysfunctional red blood cells in the body, which creates a reduction in the flow of oxygen to the organs. It produces fatigue, weakness, paleness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, and, sometimes, headache. Occasionally, this symptom indicates bleeding in the stomach walls due to the deterioration caused by the ulcers. For that reason, it is advisable to treat them as soon as possible and with the appropriate measures. That way, future complications will be avoided, since, in the worst case, gastric ulcers can lead to stomach cancer.
10. Difficulty breathing
Medically known as dyspnea, difficulty breathing is described as severe chest pressure, shortness of breath, or a choking sensation. It occurs due to high temperatures, obesity, great heights, and, in this particular case, when performing activities that demand a great effort. It is a consequence of the limited level of red blood cells in the blood and the lack of oxygen that this causes, which also responds to constantly losing blood through the stomach ulcers. In more severe cases, the lack of oxygen can cause fainting, so it is not advisable to carry out tasks that involve physical strength.
11. Dark blood in the stool, or black stool
It is a clear indication of internal bleeding. The type of bleeding in bowel movements will depend on the location of the bleeding. For example, when the blood appears after deposition, it indicates an anal pathology, such as hemorrhoids. When the person suffers from gastric ulcers, the bleeding is located at a higher level, as in the stomach. For that reason, will appear feces of blackish color or appearance compared to tar, sticky and with black dots, sometimes similar to coffee grounds. You may experience decay or loss of strength, tachycardia (rapid pulse) and low blood pressure (low or very low blood pressure).
12. Intolerance to fatty foods
Eating foods high in fat, such as dairy, eggs, and gluten is the trigger for severe stomach aches, which, together with ulcers, can become an unbearable sensation. In general, intolerance to certain foods has no external cause; instead, it is the organism itself that is unable to digest certain substances. However, in this case, it is a direct consequence of gastric ulcers.
Every day it is more common to see people with stomach ulcers and similar conditions. You may be one of them if you suffer constantly from these symptoms and the uncomfortable situation described at the beginning of this article. However, keep in mind that stomach ulcers are treatable, and you can recover by using the right meds and a few lifestyle changes. So, don’t neglect your condition, ask your doctor about your condition and go back enjoying the best moments of your life.