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An ulcer is a lesion that develops on the skin, such as a pressure ulcer, or mucous membranes of the body, such as a stomach ulcer. The symptoms are acute for some people and mild for others. If you are experiencing any ulcer symptoms, see your doctor immediately .
Steps
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Pay attention to pain in your abdomen anywhere between your breastbone and your belly button. The pain can vary in severity and duration, lasting anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours. It often occurs between meals as your stomach empties and could be described as a burning, stabbing or aching pain. The extent of the pain will depend on a number of factors including your age and the location of the ulcer. [1] X Research source
- Often pain caused by ulcers can be temporarily relieved by eating foods that buffer the acid in the stomach, or by taking an over-the-counter antacid medication.
- If your stomach pain is caused by ulcers, flare-ups may occur at night and whenever you are hungry.
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Watch for other symptoms of ulcers that sufferers have reported. All of these symptoms don't occur for all people. That means you may experience just a few symptoms, or a combination of any of them. [2] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- An increase in the amount of gas and burping.
- A feeling of fullness and an inability to drink a lot of liquids.
- Being hungry a couple of hours after eating a meal.
- Mild nausea, most common on first waking in the morning.
- An overall feeling of being tired and not feeling well.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
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Recognize the symptoms of a severe ulcer. If left untreated, ulcers can cause internal bleeding and other problems, leading to a medical emergency. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Vomiting, especially if it looks like coffee grounds and/or if blood is present, can be an indication of advanced ulcers.
- Dark, tarry or pasty stool may also be a sign of severe ulcers.
- Bloody stools.
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See your doctor if you are experiencing any ulcers symptoms. Ulcers are a serious condition that require medical treatment. Over-the-counter products may provide temporary relief, but they do not treat the condition. Your healthcare provider, on the other hand, can help you treat the underlying cause of your ulcer.
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Know if you are more likely to get stomach ulcers. While stomach ulcers can present for any number of reasons, to most any individual, people most at risk to develop them include: [4] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- People infected by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, or those who are more susceptible to it such as people with low stomach acid. [5] X Research source
- People who regularly take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.
- People with a family history of ulcers.
- People who regularly drink alcohol. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- People who have illnesses or diseases associated with the liver, kidney, or lung.
- People older than 50 years of age. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- People who have or had a digestive disease or illness like Crohn's disease.
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Make an appointment with your doctor. While most stomach ulcers will heal on their own, some severe stomach ulcers will need to be diagnosed with an endoscope and treated with medication. An endoscope is a small, lighted tube that your gastroenterologist will guide down your esophagus. Only your doctor can perform this. In the meantime, try some of these quick fixes before you see your practitioner. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Take an acid-blocking medication. [9] X Expert Source Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 14 October 2020. An acid-blocking medication is sometimes recommended by doctors to see if symptoms improve. That is because stomach ulcers can be caused by an imbalance between the digestive fluids in the stomach and duodenum.- If you're found to have H. pylori, you will generally be prescribed a round of antibiotics that also act as acid suppressors. [10] X Research source
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Make certain lifestyle changes. Stop smoking, drinking, and taking NSAIDs. Smoking and drinking can both cause imbalances in digestive fluids, while NSAIDs can disrupt the balance and irritate the stomach lining if taken in high dosages. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source [12] X Expert Source Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 14 October 2020. Discontinue all three while you are waiting for a diagnosis from your doctor. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source -
4Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eating more frequently or focusing on one specific food group like diary may offer momentary relief, but ultimately this could lead to your body producing even more stomach acid. Focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in proteins, unsaturated fats, and complex carbohydrates. Try to incorporate fresh fruits or vegetables into every meal, choose whole grains whenever possible, and rely on lean proteins when you can. [14] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Avoid foods that cause you discomfort. For many people, this includes coffee, caffeinated beverages, fatty foods, chocolate, and spicy foods. [15]
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Expert Source
Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 14 October 2020. - Try to stick to a regular meal schedule. Avoid snacking late at night.
- Avoid foods that cause you discomfort. For many people, this includes coffee, caffeinated beverages, fatty foods, chocolate, and spicy foods. [15]
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Expert Source
Roy Nattiv, MD
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Don't drink milk. Drinking milk may provide temporary relief, but it's like taking one step forward and two steps back. Milk will coat the lining of your stomach wall for a short while. But milk will also stimulate the production of more stomach acid, which ultimately aggravate the ulcers even more.
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List of Foods to Eat and Avoid with a Stomach Ulcer
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat dietary changes will help with stomach ulcers?Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.Try to eat a low-acid diet. Eliminate acidic foods and avoid caffeine and chocolate.
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QuestionCan stomach ulcers cause bloating?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Yes, stomach ulcers can cause bloating along with a number of other symptoms.
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QuestionWill taking Mobic aggravate your digestive system?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.It is possible. Mobic is a NSAID which may irritate the lining of your stomach or cause a disruption in the balance of your stomach acid.
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Tips
- A considerable percentage of stomach ulcers are not directly caused by stress or diet, they are caused by Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacteria - not a virus. A Nobel Prize was awarded to Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for this discovery.Thanks
- Before discovering the connection between ulcers and the H. pylori bacteria, doctors used to tell patients to control their ulcers through diet and lifestyle changes. Although we now know that the bacteria causes most ulcers, it is still true that lifestyle and diet can aggravate symptoms. Diligently managing stress through practices like prayer, yoga or meditation, getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that is low in fat and spices will help to control ulcer symptoms for some people.Thanks
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Warnings
- If left untreated, ulcers can perforate the wall of the stomach or intestines, causing internal bleeding and potentially life-threatening infections. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/gastritis-and-peptic-ulcer-disease/peptic-ulcer-disease
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000206.htm
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/symptoms-causes
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/symptoms-causes
- ↑ https://chriskresser.com/more-evidence-to-support-the-theory-that-gerd-is-caused-by-bacterial-overgrowth/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11195134
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11195134
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/upper-gi-endoscopy
- ↑ Roy Nattiv, MD. Board Certified Gastroenterologist. Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.
- ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/gastritis-and-peptic-ulcer-disease/peptic-ulcer-disease
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10749095
- ↑ Roy Nattiv, MD. Board Certified Gastroenterologist. Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11195134
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000380.htm
- ↑ Roy Nattiv, MD. Board Certified Gastroenterologist. Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-ulcer/complications/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you think you may have a stomach ulcer, pay attention to pain in your abdomen. Ulcer pain is usually described as burning, stabbing, or aching, and may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. You may also notice other symptoms like an increase in gas, mild nausea, an overall tired feeling, and loss of appetite or weight loss. Severe ulcers may lead to vomiting, sometimes with blood present, and dark, tarry, or bloody stools. If you think you have an ulcer, read on for help easing the pain.
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Reader Success Stories
- "The symptoms described confirm my suspicion that I may have a peptic ulcer. Unfortunately I cannot tolerate anti-acids, as I have Addison's and they seem to mess around with my salt and potassium levels and give me pain in the kidney region. Just hope it sorts itself out with a dietary change: goodbye lemon tea, cola, and San Pellegrino for a while." ..." more
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"The symptoms described confirm my suspicion that I may have a peptic ulcer. Unfortunately I cannot tolerate anti-acids, as I have Addison's and they seem to mess around with my salt and potassium levels and give me pain in the kidney region. Just hope it sorts itself out with a dietary change: goodbye lemon tea, cola, and San Pellegrino for a while."
..."
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"Was not aware about milk and yogurt. I was eating 32 oz. Dannon vanilla yogurt daily. I have a hiatal hernia, GERD and Barretts esophagus. Yipes, what a disaster. PPI and H2 receptor blockages cause such nasty side effects I had to stop taking them."
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"I love that I can look symptoms up on here without feeling like I'm dying. It gives a lot of info, and if you have unanswered questions you can always ask and they will answer you quickly."
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"Thanks for the opportunity to be able to read the provided information. It made me aware of what I should/should not do for this problem. "
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"It would help more to know what I should eat to help ease the pain of the ulcer, rather than just listing what not to eat. Thank you."
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