What Are Stomach Ulcers?

A stomach ulcer is a hole or sore in the lining of the stomach caused by excessive acid buildup. The medical terms for it are peptic or gastric ulcer. The medical community once believed that stomach ulcers were primarily caused by high stress or excessive consumption of spicy food, but it is now understood that the majority of ulcers are caused by bacterial infections.

Symptoms

• The primary symptom of a stomach ulcer is regular abdominal pain accompanied by a burning sensation. It can be located anywhere from the navel area up to the sternum. The pain usually becomes more severe at night or when the affected person hasn't eaten anything for several hours or longer. It can disappear and return over a period of weeks or be a relatively constant presence. In more severe cases, it can lead to vomiting, the presence of blood in the stool or in vomit, a decrease in appetite and weight loss.

H. Pylori and Ulcers

• An infection of H. pylori, a bacteria that occurs naturally in the digestive system, causes most stomach ulcers. The bacteria only becomes dangerous if it somehow moves to a different part of the digestive system, where it can weaken the gastric lining. It can be contracted by consuming the bacteria in food, water or by contact with an infected person.

Other Causes

• Stomach ulcers can also be caused by excessive alcohol use, regular intake of anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen, cigarette smoking or regular high stress. Even if these are not always a direct cause of the stomach ulcer, they can exacerbate existing ulcers caused by a bacterial infection. Use of antacid drugs such as bismuth subsalicylate can also exacerbate ulcers, even if they may provide temporary pain relief.

Treatment

• Stomach ulcers caused by an H. pylori infection can be treated with antibiotics for a period of two weeks or longer. Acid blockers are also often prescribed to lower stomach acid levels and give the gastric lining a chance to heal. A doctor may also prescribe drugs called proton pump inhibitors, which also decrease acid levels. Cytoprotective drugs strengthen the stomach lining, encouraging the healing process.

Chronic Ulcers

• If an ulcer remains untreated for too long or if treatment is not undertaken properly, the stomach lining can scar to the point that full healing becomes impossible using natural means. These are called refractory ulcers and in some cases require surgery in order to heal properly. In some cases, an ulcer can become chronic if the H. pylori bacteria that caused it are resistant to antibiotics.