Stomach ulcer symptoms
Stomach ulcers are not always symptomatic, and most patients can remain without symptoms for years. When it becomes symptomatic, however, it can be quite distressing. The symptoms of stomach ulcers include:
- Upper abdominal pain: Upper abdominal discomfort or pain is the commonest symptom of gastric ulcer. It is not a specific symptom and can occur in other diseases like gastroesophageal reflux and duodenal ulcers. The main difference between stomach and duodenal ulcers is the time at which such pain occurs. In stomach ulcers, it starts immediately after eating, while it takes two to three hours after meals for duodenal ulcers to cause pain.
- Vomiting blood: Vomiting blood is a rare symptom of stomach ulcers and can be indicative of severe bleeding. It can, however, exist in minor bleeding if the stomach is irritated.
- Black stools: Black, tarry stools can be the only symptom of a bleeding stomach ulcer. Blood gets altered by the stomach,s acid and becomes more maroon in color than black.
- Symptoms of complications: Stomach ulcer can present first by its complications, and they include:
- Perforation: If the ulcer perforates through the stomach, it can cause severe abdominal pain and a drop in blood pressure.
- Penetration: Stomach ulcers can perforate and penetrate surrounding structures like the pancreas or the liver. Damaging the pancreas is a severe condition known as acute pancreatitis. Patients can experience severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back and a quick deterioration with hypotension and dehydration.
- Loss of weight: Weight loss can occur when the stomach is obstructed by 2 opposite ulcers or even when the patient avoids eating for the discomfort it causes, but it is a warning sign that gastric cancer is probable.
- Bleeding: Stomach ulcers can erode into a blood vessel causing severe bleeding. It can present by vomiting blood or the passage of dark, tarry stools. Bleeding in such cases can be life-threatening.