Why ulcer in stomach

The stomach is an organ of the digestive system, located in the abdomen just below the ribs and on the left. Swallowed food is squeezed down the oesophagus and pushed through a sphincter small muscle ring into the stomach, where it is mixed with powerful gastric juices containing enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The stomach is a muscular bag, so it can churn the food and break it down mechanically as well as chemically. Once the food is the consistency of smooth paste, it is squeezed through a second sphincter into the first part of the small intestine duodenum.

The lining of the stomach — the mucosa or gastric epithelium — is layered with multiple folds. Ulcers occur in this lining. The Helicobacter pylori bacterium H. The discovery of this micro-organism in revolutionised many aspects of gastroenterology, including the treatment of stomach ulcers. It is thought that about one in three people over the age of 40 years is infected with this strain of bacteria in Australia.

The germs live in the lining of the stomach and the chemicals they produce cause irritation and inflammation. Other disorders caused by this infection include inflammation of the stomach gastritis and dyspepsia indigestion.

Researchers believe the germ could also play a contributing role in the development of stomach cancers. The infection is more common among poor or institutionalised people.

The mode of transmission is so far unknown, but is thought to include sharing food or utensils, coming into contact with infected vomit, and sharing of water such as well water in undeveloped populations. This is a serious complication of ulcer disease and is particularly deadly in the elderly or those with multiple medical problems. Bleeding from stomach ulcers is more common in people treated with blood thinning agents, such as warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel Plavix and those people should also consider using regular anti-ulcer medication to prevent this complication.

A severe, untreated ulcer can sometimes burn through the wall of the stomach, allowing digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity. This medical emergency is known as a perforated ulcer. Treatment generally requires immediate surgery.

Special diets are now known to have very little impact on the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers. What causes a peptic ulcer?

How do H. How do tumors from ZES cause peptic ulcers? When should you call or see a doctor? What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer? The pain most often happens when your stomach is empty—such as between meals or during the night stops briefly if you eat or if you take antacids lasts for minutes to hours comes and goes for several days, weeks, or months Less common symptoms may include bloating burping feeling sick to your stomach poor appetite vomiting weight loss Even if your symptoms are mild, you may have a peptic ulcer.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers are both types of peptic ulcers. These ulcers can cause different symptoms, depending on where they are.

A peptic ulcer on…. Weakness in your stomach lining allows digestive juices to damage and inflame it, causing gastritis. Learn more about causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Learn about risk factors, complications, and….

But certain foods may help fight the cause of your stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcers are open sores in the lining of the stomach. They are often extremely painful. Read on to learn about easy stomach ulcer home remedies…. Peptic ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine. Stomach ulcers are a relatively common and irritating medical condition. This article lists 9 scientifically backed natural ulcer remedies. Gastric tissue biopsy is the examination of tissue removed from the stomach.

The tissue is placed in a special dish to see if bacteria or other…. Helicobacter pylori H. You can get it though…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. What is a stomach ulcer?

What causes stomach ulcers? If your ulcer becomes perforated torn , it becomes a bleeding ulcer. This can cause the following symptoms:. Most ulcers are cause by Heliocobacter pylori H. This is a bacterial infection. Acids from the foods we eat can make the pain and discomfort worse. Long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines ibuprofen are also a common cause of ulcers. Stress and spicy foods can make an ulcer worse. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy.

This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath or stool for H. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines. You cannot prevent an ulcer caused by an H. However, you can reduce your risks by limiting aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines.

Avoid foods that are acidic orange juice and spicy to reduce discomfort. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Your doctor will give you an antibiotic medicine to treat an H. You will have to take it for 2 to 3 weeks.