Is Stomach Ulcer Dangerous?

If you’re experiencing stomach pain and nausea, a variety of gastrointestinal issues could be to blame. If these symptoms persist, it is possible that you have a stomach ulcer.

Let us now discuss stomach ulcers. A stomach ulcer is a flaw in the lining of your stomach or the duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. A gastric ulcer is a type of defect that occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer is a defect in your duodenum. Your stomach contains a strong acid that breaks down and digests the foods you eat. If you’ve ever seen a strong acid in action, you’ll know that it begins to burn away anything it comes into contact with. As a result, your stomach and intestines have a special lining to protect them. However, if that lining fails for any reason, acids can begin to eat their way through. Perforation occurs when acids burn a hole all the way through the stomach or duodenum, and it is a medical emergency.

What Stomach Ulcer Is?

An open sore that forms in the lining of your stomach, the first section of the small intestine into which your stomach feeds, is known as a stomach ulcer, sometimes known as a gastric ulcer. Peptic ulcer includes a stomach ulcer as well as a duodenal ulcer. Peptic ulcers develop when the stomach’s and duodenum’s protective mucous covering is worn away, allowing stomach acids and digestive enzymes to eat away at the organs’ walls. As a result, the acid eventually causes open sores that are constantly irritated.

They can start to develop major consequences, like internal bleeding, if left untreated. They may eventually even develop a hole that is completely through. A medical emergency has occurred. Don’t let that happen to you; instead, consult Doctor our top gastroenterologist, and get yourself treated before things worsen.

Medical Emergency

A medical emergency, YES, A medical emergency. Having holes in your stomach is extremely dangerous to your health because it not only affects your overall health but can also affect your digestion and cause damage to other internal organs through infection. This means that while stomach ulcers are extremely dangerous, we do not believe they are a major problem or that they can harm your health. You might joke that your boss is giving you an ulcer, and it’s true that stress can cause ulcers. Your ulcer is most likely caused by a stomach infection caused by the bacteria H. pylori.

Factors

There are following of the few factors that raise the risk for stomach ulcers:

• Regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Smoking cigarettes
• Chewing tobacco
• Being seriously ill, such as being on a ventilator
• Radiation treatments
• Stress

Risks

Other common ulcer risks include smoking and regular use of NSAID pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If the ulcer is small, you may be unaware of its presence because there are no symptoms. Larger ulcers can cause stomach pain, a feeling of fullness, and nausea. If you have any of these persistent symptoms, your doctor will examine your gastrointestinal tract to determine the cause. An upper endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera on one end that takes pictures as it moves through your stomach and small intestine, is one method. A lower Gastrointestinal is a series of x-rays taken after drinking a radioactive substance known as barium. Doctor will also test you for ulcer.

Possible Complications

When it comes to stomach ulcers, there is a risk of complications if they go untreated or worsen. The following are the complications:

• Severe blood loss
• hard for the stomach to empty
• hole of the stomach and intestines

Symptoms When It’s Initial

Small ulcers may be asymptomatic. Some ulcers can cause significant bleeding. Abdominal pain is a common symptom. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person. Some people are immune to pain.

Pain occurs:

• In the upper abdomen
• At night and wakes you up
• When you feel an empty stomach, often 1 to 3 hours after a meal
• Feeling of fullness
• Problems drinking as much fluid as usual

Symptoms When It’s Effecting Your Health

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is time to consult a good doctor. Life Care International Hospital employs the most qualified and experienced doctors who specialize in stomach ulcer treatment.

• Nausea
• Bloody or dark, tarry stools
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Vomiting, possibly bloody
• Weight loss
• Ongoing heartburn

Is It Dangerous

Yes, it is risky because the symptoms of a stomach ulcer are often ambiguous, manifesting as pain or discomfort in the upper left abdomen, as well as heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and gas. It can sometimes lead to more serious complications. There are three serious complications of a stomach ulcer that may necessitate immediate medical attention, and if you have any of them, you should begin treatment as soon as possible.

• A perforation is a hole in the stomach or small intestine wall. It’s a dangerous condition in which an untreated ulcer can burn through the stomach wall. Digestive juices and food can enter the abdominal cavity through the hole.
• Internal bleeding occurs when a blood vessel in the stomach or small intestine ruptures. This can cause a drop in blood pressure as well as symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, and fainting. Some people have bloody vomit, while others have dark stools.
• When food cannot pass from your stomach into your small intestine, you have intestinal blockage. When ulcers cause strictures, this happens. Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and inability to pass gas are all symptoms.

Treatment

There are two ways to treat stomach ulcers. If you have an H. pylori infection, you will be put on medication to kill the bacteria. You’ll also be given a proton pump inhibitor medication, such as Prilosec or Prevacid, which reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. Avoid taking NSAID pain relievers for extended periods of time, especially if you have H. pylori. Instead, take Tylenol. If you must take NSAIDs, you should also take an acid-blocking medication to protect your sensitive stomach. Avoid smoking as well. To treat a peptic ulcer, carefully follow your doctor’s instructions. If you do not take your medication as prescribed, your ulcer may return.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible. if you have severe stomach pain, are sweating profusely, are confused, or your stomach feels hard to the touch These could be symptoms of a serious ulcer complication that necessitates immediate medical attention.

When To Consult A Doctor

If you experience sudden, sharp abdominal pain, seek medical attention right away.

• Have a hard, rigid abdomen that is tender to the touch.
• Have shock symptoms like fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion.
• You may vomit blood or pass blood in your stool.
• You have a dizzy or lightheaded feeling.
• You are experiencing ulcer symptoms.

How To Get Away From This Dangerous Disease?

The question now is how to avoid this dangerous disease. The following precautions will help you avoid stomach ulcers:

• Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided. Instead, try acetaminophen. If you must take such medications, consult your healthcare provider first.
• Before taking these medications, you should be tested for H pylori.
• Request that you take PPIs or an H2 acid blocker.
• Misoprostol is a medication that should be prescribed.

Wrap Up

Stomach ulcers usually cause only pain, but they can sometimes worsen and lead to life-threatening complications. Consult a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting blood, bloody stools, severe pain in the upper abdomen, clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, or fainting.