An ulcer is an infection of the stomach lining caused by a wound in the stomach that leaves the stomach unprotected against the acid secreted by the stomach, resulting in pain and burning. This disease, which is much more common in men than in women, can seriously reduce the quality of life of the person, but it is a treatable disease.
If left untreated and ignored, it can cause very serious complications, pain that can wake the person up at night and interfere with work life. If symptoms occur and complaints increase, a specialist doctor should be seen and treated immediately.
What are the Symptoms of Ulcer?
It can be defined as the wound that occurs in the stomach and duodenum damages the tissues and manifests itself with different symptoms. These two organs have a protective layer called mucus. But the disease can thin or neutralize this layer. Wounds form in the stomach and duodenum. These sores cause pain. These sores are called inflammation. It can also occur for different reasons.
This condition, which is one of the most common diseases among digestive system diseases, is a disease that needs to be treated and does not heal on its own. It is a digestive system disease that negatively affects the digestive system. The most common symptom is burning, scraping, swelling and indigestion of the stomach.
The most common conditions among the symptoms of ulcers; Some conditions such as heartburn, scraping and gnawing sensation in the upper part can be experienced. Mostly this feeling may increase between meals. In some cases, it can wake the person up from sleep at night. In addition to these, ulcer symptoms that can be seen in people and cause complaints are as follows:
- Heartburn and pain in the stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting sensation and relief after the act of vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
- Bloating and gas problems
- Frequent hunger
- Postprandial stomach complaints
- Indigestion
If symptoms are observed and treatment is delayed, there can be serious consequences and negative consequences for the person's life. Some serious medical consequences such as bleeding, blockages and perforation can occur. In such cases, urgent intervention is required.
In some patients, bleeding or perforation can occur without any signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis of this disease is important for the life of the person.
What are the Causes of Ulcer? Who Can Get Ulcers?
It is a disease that occurs in the stomach and duodenum and is caused by bacteria. The name of this bacterium is helicobacter pylori. Other causes of ulcers are as follows:
- Starving the stomach for a long time
- Irregular and unbalanced diet
- Excessive consumption of fast food
- Excessive stress, sadness
- Insomnia
- Excessive salt consumption
- Too much food
- Swallowing food without thoroughly breaking it down in the mouth
- Excessive consumption of acidic foods
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Excessive caffeine consumption (coffee, tea)
- Some stomach diseases
- Long-term use of certain medications (such as aspirin, cortisone)
- Consuming vegetables and fruits without washing them
Duodenal ulcers are generally more common than stomach ulcers. It is also approximately 3 times more common in men than in women.
Duodenal ulcer is more common in male individuals in the 30 and 50 age group, while gastric ulcer is more common in women in the 55-60 age group.
What are the Types of Ulcers?
When it occurs in the inner part of the stomach, it is divided into two types as gastric ulcer and duodenal when it occurs in the upper part of the small intestine.
In some rare and uncommon cases, it can cause some serious symptoms and signs such as weight loss, nausea and vomiting, blood in the stool or black stools, change in appetite, fainting and difficulty in breathing. In such cases, a specialist doctor should be consulted and examined immediately.
What are the complications that may occur with ulcers?
There are a number of complications that may occur with the disease condition.
Peptic ulcer can cause some unforeseen consequences when left untreated. These include internal bleeding. Internal bleeding can lead to slow blood loss, which can cause anemia, or rapid blood loss, which can be severe and require hospitalization or blood transfusion. Symptoms of excessive and massive blood loss can include black or bloody vomiting and bloody stools.
There may be a hole (perforation) in the wall of the stomach or small intestine. This can lead to serious and severe infections in the abdominal cavity.
By preventing food and nutrients from passing through the digestive system, it can cause an involuntary weight loss by causing a person to feel full, vomiting, swelling due to inflammation or digestive disorders due to the formation of intragastric wounds.
In addition, this disease can have some dangerous consequences. These include bleeding and perforation of the stomach, which can have very serious and negative consequences.
Ulcer bleeding; While gastric bleeding or bleeding may occur in the upper digestive system, it may occur in some people without symptoms. The person may experience a color close to black in the stool and vomiting. In such cases, a specialist doctor should be consulted as urgent intervention may be required.
Perforation of the stomach (perforsation); With the increase in stomach acid and the increase in the depth of the existing disease, perforation of the stomach and duodenum can be seen. The person may experience severe pain and suffering in the abdominal cavity, while movement may be restricted and the abdomen may harden. It needs to be treated and the treatment is mostly surgical.
How to Prevent Ulcers?
There are some things that should be done to prevent its occurrence and formation. To protect your body against certain bacteria and infections, you should pay attention to hand hygiene and wash your hands with soapy water. In addition, they should not consume uncooked products and foods.
People who regularly take medication, especially painkillers and medications that increase the likelihood of this disease, can take their medication during meals to reduce the possibility of stomach diseases. In addition, these people should act under the control and recommendation of a specialist doctor.
It is very important to consult a doctor to find the dose that can minimize the pain experienced by the person. In addition, people taking medication should not drink and consume alcohol.
Ulcer Diagnosis and Treatment Methods
Radiological examination or endoscopy of the upper digestive tract is required to diagnose the disease. Endoscopy visualizes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. If deemed necessary by the specialist, a biopsy may be performed.
After the person is diagnosed, medication treatment determined by the doctor can be started. It may also be recommended to avoid certain foods, spicy foods and stress.
In the treatment of ulcers, some suppressive drugs are recommended, which will be determined by the doctor after the diagnosis is made together with some examinations and imaging methods. Antibiotic treatment can also be applied to prevent bacteria and to eliminate the formation of infection. With the recommended medications, efforts are made to reduce stomach acid and the complaints of the individual.
In addition to drug treatment, one of the methods that can be applied is to prevent acid and pepsin secretion. This occurs as a result of cutting the vagus nerve. While there may be a risk of recurrence with cutting, serious complications may occur in some patients and surgical intervention may be required. While the disease can be chronic and recurrent, it negatively affects the quality of life of the individual.
