Stomach Ulcer Complications

A stomach ulcer is a lesion or open sore that is found in the stomach lining, where pepsin and hydrochloric acid are present. People of all ages can develop ulcers and they are usually not cancerous or contagious. Serious complications can arise if people don't get treatment for their stomach ulcers, requiring immediate medical attention and even surgery.

Causes

• There are many factors that can cause stomach ulcers. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research shows that most are a result of a bacteria infection called Helicobacter pylori. it makes a substance that weakens the protective mucus in the stomach, making it more likely to be hurt by acid and pepsin. Smoking also increases the chance to developing an ulcer, as does caffeine because it promotes acid secretion in the stomach. Emotional stress used to be considered a cause of ulcers, but that thinking has changed. However, people with stomach ulcers often say that stressful situations cause them more pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also make the stomach succumb to the effects of pepsin and acid.

Symptoms

• Each person experiences different symptoms, but there are several that are common to stomach ulcers. Many people suffer from a burning or gnawing pain in their abdomen, between the belly button and breastbone. It typically occurs in the early morning hours or between meals and can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to a few hours. Other people may experience from lack of appetite, nausea, tiredness, belching, vomiting and weakness.

Bleeding

• Bleeding is a common complication if you don't get treatment for a stomach ulcer. Over time, the ulcer eats away at the blood vessel in the duodenum or the stomach wall. This causes bleeding. Symptoms include vomiting bright red, fresh blood or passing bloody, black stools. Many people take Pepto Bismol to relieve ulcer symptoms. This can also result in black stools. If there is severe hemorrhage, the patient may have weakness, extreme tiredness, lose consciousness or enter shock.

Perforation

• A stomach ulcer eats away at the stomach so much that it can form a hole or perforation in the wall. Partially digested food and bacteria can enter through the opening and travel to the abdominal cavity. This cavity is usually sterile. Thus, it can cause the area to become inflamed, a condition called peritonitis. The first sign of perforation is intense, sudden and steady pain the abdominal muscles. Patients call the pain extreme, and it gets worse when they move around. Abdominal muscles stiffen and because hard as boards. Doctors usually recommend immediate surgery.

Obstruction

• A third complication of stomach ulcers is a narrowing and obstruction of the digestive tract. Ulcers found at the junction of the stomach and duodenum can cause scarring and swelling which narrows or closes the passageway through the area. Fluid and food traveling from the stomach to the duoderm may be blocked or slowed down, which causes a distended stomach to form. Other symptoms include extreme pain and continual vomiting. The obstruction is usually near or at the pyloric canal, a narrow section of the stomach where it joins the duodenum. Doctors use an upper endoscopy to diagnose the obstruction.