Stomach ulcers

A stomach ulcer, or peptic ulcer, is a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum, the first part of your small intestine.

Acid is produced in your stomach to digest food. The lining of your stomach and the duodenum are protected from the acid by a layer of mucus but if the protective layer isn't working properly, the acid can eat into the lining of your stomach and cause an ulcer.  Most ulcers are caused by infection from the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Sometimes there are no symptoms for stomach ulcers but the common ones include:

• Burning pain in the abdomen and breastbone
• Indigestion
• Feeling sick
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Blood in faeces or vomit 

 

Causes of stomach ulcers

The leading cause of stomach ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which causes inflammation.

The main cause of stomach ulcers is the bacteria H. pylori which can lead to inflammation of the lining of the stomach. This reduces the layer of mucus lining the stomach and small bowel leading to an ulcer. About 60 per cent of stomach ulcers and 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers are caused by this bacterium.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, can also lead to ulcers as taken over a long period of time they can damage the mucus lining of the stomach.

A perforated ulcer is rare but occurs when an ulcer burns through the wall of your stomach or small bowel creating a hole in your abdomen. They require immediate surgery.
To diagnose a stomach ulcer, a GP will examine you and discuss symptoms and medical history.
They may also carry out the following tests:

• Endoscopy – a flexible tube is put down the throat into the stomach so the doctor can see the ulcer and obtain tissue samples.
• Barium meal – a chalky liquid is taken before an X-ray to show the stomach lining.
• Biopsy – tissue samples are taken and tested in a lab.
• C14 breath test - the patient takes a drink or capsule of the radioactive carbon C14 then is asked to exhale. The expelled air is tested for evidence of the bacteria H. pylori.

How to prevent and treat stomach ulcers

 Stomach ulcers can be treated through antibiotics and medicines that suppress acid.

Stomach ulcers can affect anyone but rarely occur in children and are more common in men than women.
To help ulcers heal or to prevent them returning, lifestyle changes include:

• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding foods and drinks that give you more severe symptoms, such as alcohol
• Avoiding painkillers that may cause ulcers in the future

Medical treatments for stomach ulcers include:

• Antibiotics to kill the H. pylori bacteria and other drugs to help the ulcer to heal.
• Ongoing breath tests to make sure H. pylori doesn't return once a course of medication has finished.
• Changes to doses of mediation such as aspirin.
• Tablets to reduce acid in the stomach.