Stomach ulcer pain or a gnawing feeling in the stomach area is a major symptom of stomach ulcer. The sensation lasts between 30 minutes to 3 hours. The pain may be particularly confusing or disconcerting when it radiates to the back or chest and can be mistaken as a heart attack. It is also falsely interpreted as heartburn, indigestion or hunger.
The cause of stomach ulcer pain still remains to be discovered. The symptoms vary depending on where the ulcer is located. The pain can be either in one place or diffused all over the abdomen. Occasionally it happens near the upper abdomen (for duodenal ulcers) but sometimes it also happens below the breastbone. Some patients experience the pain immediately after having a meal while some occur hours after eating. Weeks of pain may be followed by weeks of not experiencing pain
Taking antacids stops the acids from working and heals the ulcer. Antacids can be bought from any grocery store or drug store. But these drugs must be taken several times a day. Remember antacids don’t kill the bacteria so the ulcer can come back even if the pain goes away. Symptoms can also be relieved by drinking milk, eating, resting, or taking antacids.
Certain foods and drinks may worsen the pain. These include coffee (regular and decaffeinated), tea, chocolate, meat extracts, alcohol, black pepper, chili powder, mustard seed and nutmeg. Avoid these foods if they bother you but try keeping a balanced diet by eating small, frequent meals when there is pain.
Changes in the patient’s usual pattern of stomach ulcer pain are a serious situation because it may be an indication of an imminent complication. A consultation with a doctor is highly recommended when foods or medication fail to relieve the pain o when it begins to radiate to new locations in your body.
For people who suffer from ulcer, eating equals pain. There are ways how you can stop the pain and give your ulcer enough time to heal. Stomach ulcer pain maybe reduced by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, adding more fibers to your diet.