Gastric ulcers are sores on the stomach that cause stomach ulcers. In addition to the stomach, these sores can form in the duodenum or the lower part of the esophagus.
Many people think that stomach ulcers are caused by excessive consumption of acidic or spicy foods. This assumption is not correct. Spicy foods can make heartburn symptoms worse, but they don't cause sores.
Most cases of peptic ulcers are caused by bacterial infections H. pylori or because of excessive consumption of pain relievers. In rare cases, peptic ulcers can also be caused by a tumor in the stomach, or a complication of radiotherapy.
Causes of Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers form when the membrane lining the stomach erodes. Erosion of the lining of the stomach is generally caused by:
- Bacterial infectionInfection Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of ulcers in the lining of the stomach.
- Consumption ononsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)take ibuprofen, diclofenac, or meloxicam Excessive use can cause irritation or inflammation of the gastric tissue to cause injury.
In addition to NSAIDs, other drugs that can cause gastric ulcers are aspirin, corticosteroids, and SSRI antidepressant drugs..
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing peptic ulcers or worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcers, namely:
- Smoking, especially in someone who is infected with the bacteria pylori.
- Stress that is not managed properly.
- Consume acidic or spicy foods.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Stomach Ulcer Symptoms
Symptoms that appear are heartburn or heartburn. The pain has the following characteristics:
- Lasts minutes to hours.
- Disappears over a period of days, weeks, or months.
- Worsens between meals, at night, or early in the morning.
- It gets worse when the stomach is empty or not filled with food.
- Relieves when the stomach is filled with food or after taking heartburn medicine, but then it will reappear.
Other symptoms that can appear in gastric ulcers are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloated
- Often burp
- Chest feels like it's on fire
- Loss of appetite or feeling full easily.
- Weight loss
- It's hard to breathe
- Weak
When hcurrent to dokter
Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of a stomach infection due to:H. pylori, or if you have certain conditions that make you have to regularly take corticosteroids or NSAIDs.
Go to the ER immediately if danger signs appear, such as:
- Stomach feels hard and hurts when pressed.
- Abdominal pain is severe and appears suddenly.
- Black stools or vomit like coffee color.
- Symptoms of shock appear, such as dark vision and cold sweats.
Vomiting like coffee (vomiting blood) or black stools like asphalt is a sign of bleeding that requires immediate treatment.
Gastric Ulcer Diagnosis
To determine a stomach ulcer, the doctor will first ask the symptoms experienced. Then, the doctor will listen for sounds in the patient's stomach using a stethoscope, and press on the patient's abdomen to check for possible pain and its location.
If the patient is suspected of having a peptic ulcer, the doctor will perform the following tests:
endoscope
At endoscopy (gastroscopy), a small tube with a camera will be inserted through the esophagus, to see conditions in the stomach. If necessary, the gastroenterologist will take a sample of gastric tissue for examination in the laboratory.
Laboratory test
After the wound is seen through the endoscope, the doctor will check for the presence of bacteria H. pylori through ureabreath test by analyzing the exhaled air, or by examining the patient's blood and stool samples.
In addition to the two examinations above, doctors can also perform X-rays. Prior to this examination, the patient will be asked to drink barium fluid first. The liquid will display a clearer picture of the digestive tract.
Gastric Ulcer Treatment
Gastric ulcers that cause bleeding should receive emergency treatment. The doctor will stop the bleeding through an endoscopic procedure, by injecting medicine directly into the wound area or plugging the wound with heat therapy. Then the doctor can perform a blood transfusion, to replace the lost blood.
If the bleeding persists or the stomach ulcer causes a hole in the stomach wall, the doctor will perform surgery.
Meanwhile, to deal with infection H. pylori, the doctor will prescribe a combination of the drugs below, to be taken for 7-14 days:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
PPI drugs are used to lower stomach acid levels and relieve symptoms. An example of this drug is esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole.
H2 . antagonist
H2 antagonists are known as drugs that reduce gastric acid production. An example of this drug is cimetidine, famotidine, and ranitidine. However, the drug ranitidine is being withdrawn by the BPOM for the time being, because it is suspected to have the potential to increase the risk of cancer.
Bismuth subsalicylate
This drug serves to coat and protect the wound from stomach acid. This drug works by killing the organisms that cause infection.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics aim to kill bacteria H. pylori. Examples of antibiotics that will be given are: amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or metronidazole.
In addition to some of the drugs above, doctors can prescribe misoprostol and sucralfate to protect the lining of the stomach. To treat gastric ulcers caused by excessive consumption of NSAIDs, patients are advised to stop taking these drugs and the doctor will provide other alternative drugs.
Meanwhile, to help relieve the symptoms of peptic ulcers, there are several steps that can be taken, namely:
- Increase consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits that contain vitamins A and C.
- Eat foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt.
- Avoid consumption of milk.
- Manage stress well.
- Get enough rest
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Quit smoking.
Gastric Ulcer Prevention
Stomach ulcers can be prevented with the following simple steps:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
- Wash the food ingredients and cook until completely cooked.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Make sure the water you drink is clean and cooked.
- Limit use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Eat more vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
- Quit smoking.