Stomach ulcers are more common than we think, but at what point can they get serious? These are open sores found in the inner lining of the stomach, which cause various symptoms which can throw your daily life off balance. While they do cause indigestion and bloating, people still don't know how serious these conditions can get.
According to a reputed gastroenterologist in Siliguri, sometimes stomach ulcers have symptoms which seem normal, making them hard to diagnose. Delaying the treatment of these ulcers can be very harmful. In this blog, we will be understanding the conditions as well as the causes, symptoms, and situations where it can get serious.
Understanding Stomach Ulcers
The inner environment of the stomach is known to be acidic. This is for enhancing the digestion process. However, it can also be harmful to the inner lining of the stomach and the small intestine. The digestive acid tends to damage the inner stomach in rare instances when the protective inner layers get eroded. This causes irritations and tissue damage, resulting in ulcers.
Stomach ulcers are therefore sore spots found in the lining of the stomach as well as the top section of the small intestine. This also includes gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Primary Causes of Stomach Ulcers
Some of the major causes of stomach ulcers are
Helicobacter pylori bacteria
Exposure to this bacterium causes infection in the stomach, which is also considered harmless at times. Most of the time, it damages the inner protective lining of the stomach, which allows the digestive acid to damage it. It also plays a role in increasing the acidity of the digestive acid, which can only increase the damage.
Anti-inflammatory Medications
If you are a regular consumer of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, you are more prone to stomach ulcers. The best gastroenterologist in Siliguri states that these pain relievers tend to irritate and cause inflammation in the inner lining of the stomach. This again allows the digestive acid to easily access and damage the stomach lining.
Lifestyle habits
In many instances, individuals who consume alcohol regularly are prone to irritation of the stomach lining. Along with this, it can also lead to gastric ulcers as well as erosion of the stomach lining. Excessive stress and poor diet don't directly cause this issue, but can make the ulcers worse.
Symptoms Related to Stomach Ulcers
Common symptoms related to this condition are
Dyspepsia
This is one of the most common symptoms reported by patients with stomach ulcers. This is mostly caused by the stomach acid and is accompanied by intense or burning stomach pain and bloating.
Nausea and Vomiting
The irritation causing a stomach ulcer also further causes an increase in the level of acid, which causes inflammation and makes an individual feel full or nauseous. According to a gastroenterologist in Siliguri, this feeling causes the stomach to try and get rid of the acid in the stomach, causing vomiting.
Bloody stools
The stomach acid can also cause damage to the digestive tract, resulting in bleeding. This causes blood to disperse along with the stool.
Chest pain
The pain caused by the stomach ulcers can also reach the oesophagus, which in turn leads to pain in the chest region.
When to see a gastroenterologist?
While stomach ulcers can be mild and heal over time, there are also instances which require quick treatment. In case you are noticing some symptoms, such as blood in the stool and gastric obstruction, it can be a sign of a severe stomach ulcer. If left untreated, stomach ulcers can result in serious cases such as perforation, which involves an ulcer burrowing into the stomach wall. This can be fatal and needs to be checked as soon as possible. Not getting a stomach ulcer treated can also lead to stomach cancer, especially if it is caused by H. pylori infections.
Conclusion
Stomach ulcers are common, and while they may start as a minor discomfort, they can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and potential complications of stomach ulcers is essential for effective treatment and prevention. Visit a gastroenterologist in Siliguri to get the right diagnosis and treatment to manage your condition.