How to Recognize the Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer?

What are stomach ulcers?

A stomach ulcer is a lesion of the membrane lining the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). These injuries can occur in both men and women. The main symptom of this problem is a burning sensation in the stomach and in the navel area, even if you haven't eaten anything.

How to recognize a stomach ulcer?

Abdominal pain

Without exertion or overeating, you feel a kind of burning sensation between the sternum and the navel. The intensity and duration of this pain can vary.

In general, this discomfort occurs between meals, when the stomach is empty. The most accurate description of ulcer symptoms is that of a burning sensation in the abdomen. You are more likely to experience burning sensations, especially at night, when you are hungry or when your last meal was a long time ago.

Other symptoms

Stomach ulcers are accompanied by various symptoms. It is very important to pay attention and not forget that the same symptoms do not always occur together and that some may never occur. Here are some of the symptoms of ulcers:

• Overeating;
• Excessive flatulence;
• Inability to drink liquids;
• Feeling full even without eating;
• Feeling a lack of appetite after eating;
• Mild nausea in the early morning hours;
• Loss of appetite;
• General feeling of malaise;
• Fatigue;
• Weight loss;

Symptoms of a severe ulcer

If you don't pay attention to the symptoms just listed and don't follow any treatment, natural or otherwise, ulcers become chronic and cause:

• Vomiting (even with blood);
• Dark, pasty, tarry stools;
• Blood in the stool;

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What tests should be done to diagnose a gastroduodenal ulcer?

Endoscopy for ulcer diagnosis

The endoscopic examination has a sensitivity of 95-100% in detecting ulcer pathology and also allows for possible biopsies or emergency treatments, such as in cases of hemorrhage. Endoscopy is also important for recognizing, classifying and monitoring cases of chronic gastritis and mucosal atrophy. In addition, in particularly well-equipped centers, esophagogastroduodenoscopy now allows for a more precise diagnosis of any associated or suspected pathology, thanks to innovative methods such as chromoendoscopy with the use of vital dyes.

An endoscopy is necessary in patients over 45 years of age to rule out the presence of a tumor. In younger patients, especially if they present typical symptoms, it is also possible to perform only a Helicobacter Pylori screening test: if the result is positive, the presence of an ulcer is more likely.

Complementary examinations for the detection of the H. Pylori bacterium

The search for the bacterium can be carried out using various tests, invasive tests (rapid urease test, histological examination and cultural examination) and non-invasive tests (C-urea breath test, stool test and serology).

The best known is the carbon-13 urea breath test (urea breath test). To perform this test, the patient must drink a liquid containing urea labeled with a non-radioactive carbon isotope [C13], then blow into a test tube at different times. The presence of an infection is determined by measuring the concentration of C13 in the air released by breathing.

Another widely used test is the search for anti-Helicobacter Pylori antibodies, which is generally performed on blood, but has the disadvantage of not distinguishing a current infection from a previous infection. The search for H.P. antigen in stool is, on the other hand, much more useful and reliable, and can also be performed on saliva or feces.

It should be noted that the search for H.P. antigen in stool has a sensitivity and specificity greater than 95%, therefore comparable to the urea breath test and superior to the rapid urease test, more invasive, perendoscopic, which does not exceed values of 90-95%.

Risk factors for ulcers

Although ulcers are caused by a bacterium, some people are more vulnerable than others to this problem. People most likely to have stomach ulcers are:

• People previously infected with the H. Pyroli bacterium or other bacteria;
• People who very frequently take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This includes aspirin and ibuprofen;
• People with a family history;
• People who consume alcohol excessively;
• Patients suffering from kidney, lung or liver diseases;
• People over 50 years of age;

Tips for preventing stomach ulcers

Stop smoking

There is a relationship between the habit of smoking and the formation of ulcers, as well as with the absence of healing of mucosal wounds and the recurrence of their appearance.

Avoid eating foods that are harmful to the stomach

We are talking here about foods that compromise the health of the stomach and increase the risk of ulcer formation. Among the foods that are forbidden to prevent the development of these lesions, we can cite

• Coffee;
• Chocolate;
• Alcohol;
• Mint;
• Tomato;
• Fats;
• Spicy foods;
• Raw garlic;
• Citrus fruits;

Is surgery the right treatment for ulcers?

Surgical therapy, which was widely used in the past for the treatment of ulcers, is now only indicated for the treatment of severe complications that cannot be overcome otherwise. These complications include:

• perforation;
• pyloric stenosis;
• hemorrhage that cannot be controlled by medical or endoscopic therapy;

It is evident that early gastric cancer, or initial cancer, and in all cases the cancellation of an ulcer require a decisive, timely and appropriate surgical solution.

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