Signs of a stomach ulcer include burning or gnawing stomach pains which is the most common. The unpleasant sensation is caused when stomach acid comes in contact with the ulcerated area. The infectious bacterium h. pylori is said to be the reason for this disease. Other factors may include injury of the gastric mucosal lining, excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition and psychological stress. The use of anti-inflammatory medications and cigarette smoking are also important contributing factors to the formation of ulcers. This is a disease that is common and not contagious or cancerous.
Signs of a stomach ulcer to look out for are:
- burning sensation from the navel up to the breastbone
- pain lasting for a few minutes to several hours
- worsens when stomach is empty
- waking up in the middle of the night due to stomach pains, emptiness or a bloated feeling
- pain often relieved by eating or taking acid-reducing medication
- the pain is episodic meaning it disappears and recurs after a few days or weeks
Severe stomach ulcers have the following signs or symptoms such as:
- vomiting of blood (red or black)
- stools that are black in color or contains blood
- nausea or frequent vomiting
- unexplained and sudden weight loss and anemic symptoms. Patients with duodenal ulcers may experience weight gain because of the tendency to eat more to ease discomfort.
- abnormal changes in the appetite
You should seek medical attention right away if you experience these symptoms for any length of time. These symptoms shouldn’t be left unnoticed or disregarded. Several tests may be ordered by the doctor to help determine the exact cause of your stomach pains. When the ulcer is diagnosed in the stomach it is known as gastric ulcer and if it is in the duodenum it is called duodenal ulcer.
In summary, ulcers shouldn’t be something that you should treat on your own without the advice from a doctor. Over-the counter medicines may relieve the gnawing pain but the relief is short lived. Signs of a stomach ulcer may be different from one person to another.