An ulcerated lesion in the mucosal surface of the stomach. It may progress to involve the deeper layers of the gastric wall.
Symptoms of Gastric Ulcer
The following features are indicative of Gastric Ulcer:
upper abdominal pain
belching
vomiting
weight loss
poor appetite
heartburn
It is possible that Gastric Ulcer shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Gastric Ulcer
The following are the most common causes of Gastric Ulcer:
Helicobacter pylori bacteria
regular use of certain pain relievers
Risk Factors for Gastric Ulcer
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Gastric Ulcer:
smoking
untreated stress
alcohol consumption
eating spicy foods
Prevention of Gastric Ulcer
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Gastric Ulcer. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
protect from H. pylori infections
use caution when taking pain relievers
Occurrence of Gastric Ulcer
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Gastric Ulcer cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Gastric Ulcer can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Gastric Ulcer can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Gastric Ulcer
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Gastric Ulcer:
Physical Exam: To diagnose the peptic ulcer and detect bloating in the abdomen
Blood test: To determine if the results fall within the normal range for different disorders or infections
Urea breath test: To check the levels of carbon dioxide in the stomach or small intestine
Stool test: To detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and biopsy: To detect upper gastrointestinal tract problem
Computerized tomography (CT) scan: To diagnose the peptic ulcer
Doctor for Diagnosis of Gastric Ulcer
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Gastric Ulcer:
Gastroenterologist
Complications of Gastric Ulcer if untreated
Yes, Gastric Ulcer causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Gastric Ulcer is left untreated:
internal bleeding
scarring
Procedures for Treatment of Gastric Ulcer
The following procedures are used to treat Gastric Ulcer:
Surgery: To treat the bleeding ulcers
Self-care for Gastric Ulcer
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Gastric Ulcer:
Choose a healthy diet: Provides relief from the pain of a stomach ulcer
Control stress: Prevents the worsening of the signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer
Don't smoke: Lowers the stomach acid
Avoid alcohol: Prevents the inflammation and bleeding of the mucous lining in stomach and intestines
Try to get enough sleep: Reduces the stress
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Gastric Ulcer
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Gastric Ulcer:
Use turmeric, mastic, cabbage, deglycyrrhizinated liquorice, and neem bark extract: Help to treat peptic ulcers
Patient Support for Treatment of Gastric Ulcer
The following actions may help Gastric Ulcer patients:
Join eradication programs: Helps in eradicating the Helicobacter pylori infection
Time for Treatment of Gastric Ulcer
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Gastric Ulcer to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 1 - 4 weeks
Is Gastric Ulcer Infectious?
Yes, Gastric Ulcer is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means: