Losing weight and Abdominal Pain with Vomiting? This can be Peptic Ulcer: Let’s read more!

Losing weight and Abdominal Pain with Vomiting? This can be Peptic Ulcer: Let’s read more!

Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower oesophagus, or small intestine. They’re usually formed as a result of inflammation caused by the bacteria H. pylori, as well as from erosion from stomach acids. Peptic ulcers are a fairly common health problem.

There are three types of peptic ulcers:

Gastric ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the stomach

Oesophageal ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the oesophagus

Duodenal ulcers: ulcers that develop in the upper section of the small intestines, called the duodenum.

Causes of peptic ulcers

Different factors can cause the lining of the stomach, the oesophagus, and the small intestine to break down. These include:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria that can cause a stomach infection and inflammation

Frequent use of aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil), and other anti-inflammatory drugs (risk associated with this behaviour increases in women and people over the age of 60)

Smoking

Drinking too much alcohol

Radiation therapy

Stomach cancer

Symptoms of peptic ulcers

The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the navel to the chest, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain may wake you up at night. Small peptic ulcers may not produce any symptoms in the early phases.

Other common signs of a peptic ulcer include:

Changes in appetite

Nausea

Bloody or dark stools

Unexplained weight loss

Indigestion

Vomiting

Chest pain

Diagnosis & Tests

A patient’s description of symptoms will normally cause a doctor to suspect a peptic ulcer.

Tests that can confirm a diagnosis include:

A blood test to check for H. pylori, though a positive test does not always mean there is an active infection

A breath test, using a radioactive carbon atom to detect H. pylori

A stool antigen test to detect H. pylori in the faeces

An upper gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray to identify ulcers

An endoscopy may also be used. This involves a long, narrow tube with a camera attached to the end is threaded down the patient’s throat and into the stomach and duodenum. This is the best diagnostic test.

If an ulcer is detected, the doctor may take a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) for examination under a microscope. A biopsy can test for H. pylori and look for evidence of cancer. The endoscopy may be repeated a few months later to determine whether the ulcer is healing.

Complications of a Peptic Ulcer 

Untreated ulcers can become worse over time. They can lead to other more serious health complications such as:

Perforation: A hole develops in the lining of the stomach or small intestine and causes an infection. A sign of a perforated ulcer is sudden, severe abdominal pain.

Internal bleeding: Bleeding ulcers can result in significant blood loss and thus require hospitalization. Signs of a bleeding ulcer include light-headedness, dizziness, and black stools.

Scar tissue: This is a thick tissue that develops after an injury. This tissue makes it difficult for food to pass through your digestive tract. Signs of scar tissue include vomiting and weight loss.

All three complications are serious and may require surgery. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

Sudden, sharp abdominal pain

Fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion, as these may be signs of shock

Blood in vomit or stool

Abdomen that’s hard to the touch

Abdominal pain that worsens with movement but improves with lying completely still

Diet

Dietary changes can be important for treating and preventing peptic ulcers.

It is important to avoid foods and flavourings that induce the stomach to produce acids, such as chilli powder, garlic, black pepper, and caffeine. Alcohol has the same effect on the stomach and should also be avoided.

The diet should contain plenty of foods that provide plenty of vitamin A and fibre that dissolves easily. These can include:

Sources of soluble fibre

Oats

Apples

Oranges

Carrots

Phylum husk

Legumes

Flax seeds

Nuts

Barley

Sources of vitamin A

Broccoli

Kale

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Collard greens

Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as a range of berries and snap peas are recommended. Green tea has also demonstrated a restrictive effect on the growth of H. pylori under laboratory conditions. However, it is unclear whether it would have the same impact inside the human body.

A balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables and lacking in intense spices and flavours should assist with a peptic ulcer.

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