In this blog, we will discuss about causes, types and tests related to ulcers. We will also explore some questions related to Ulcers.
Ulcers are common health issues in people and can be related to any part of the body. Some ulcers are external and can be treated with tropical creams and may not be so serious. But some internal ulcers are very painful and can cause serious health issues if left untreated for more time. Ulcer is the condition when the outer layer of skin get damaged which leads to the exposure of internal skin. These ulcers can occur in esophagus, stomach or small intestine etc. There are various causes of ulcers like infection, injury or damaged skin, ulcers in stomach is usually caused by infection of Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori bacteria.
There are other reasons like prolonged use of drugs, more acidic condition in stomach etc. There are various symptoms like burning sensation, nausea, vomiting and other conditions related to ulcers. There are various medications and some lifestyle changes can help to come up with this condition.
Ulcers
Ulcer is the condition or sore which occurs when the upper lining of skin opens up and exposes the lower layer. Ulcer can develop in stomach, intestines or esophagus which makes the condition serious with various symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating etc. There are various terms used for different types of ulcers like peptic ulcer, gastric ulcer (stomach), esophageal ulcer (esophagus), duodenal ulcer (duodenum) etc. there are various protective measures inside of the digestive track like mucus which makes the barrier and any abnormality which crosses this barrier and leads to the condition of ulcers in the digestive system.
Types of Ulcers
- Gastric Ulcer
- Located in the lining of the stomach.
- Pain usually worsens after eating.
- Duodenal Ulcer
- This condition occurs when upper part of small intestine gets involved in this condition.
- The pain of the stomach improves after taking food but may occur again after sometime.
- Esophageal Ulcer
- This ulcer occurs in esophagus, which is also called food pipe and connects mouth with stomach. It can occur due to acid reflex and other related condition of the body.
- Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores)
- There are conditions like small a painful sore which occurs inside of the mouth and can lead to mouth ulcers. There are various factors like nutritional deficiency, irritation and other conditions which can lead to this condition.
- Venous/Pressure Ulcers
- Usually on the skin due to poor blood flow or prolonged pressure (bedsores).
- Arterial Ulcers
- Caused by poor circulation due to blocked arteries, commonly in lower limbs.
Causes of Ulcers
- Infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
- The most common cause of peptic ulcers.
- In this case, bacteria weaken the lining responsible for protection and can lead to ulcers.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Another cause of ulcers is the long term use of ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen are some of the common stomach irritants which can lead to ulcers.
- Production of excess stomach Acid
- Another cause of ulcers can be overproduction of stomach acid and reasons may include stress, genetics, infections etc.
- Heavy Alcohol and Smoking practices
- Both damage mucosal lining and slow ulcer healing.
- Chronic Stress for stomach ulcers
- Too much secretion of acid can lead to gastric ulcers and slows down the repair of gastric ulcer repair.
- Spicy Foods
- Don’t directly cause ulcers but can aggravate symptoms.
- Other Medical Conditions
- Liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, or certain infections.
Symptoms of Ulcers
- Abdominal pain
- Burning sensation of stomach
- Worsen pain changing eating habits
- Bloating
- Felling stomach full quickly
- Nausea
- Ingestion
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
Diagnostic Tests for Ulcers
- Endoscopy
- A flexible tube with a camera to directly visualize the ulcer.
- Upper GI Series (Barium X-ray)
- X-ray imaging after drinking barium solution to detect ulcers.
- H. pylori Tests
- Urea Breath Test: Measures carbon dioxide after drinking a special solution.
- Stool Antigen Test: Detects H. pylori proteins in stool.
- Blood Test: Detects antibodies (less preferred now).
- Biopsy
- Taken during endoscopy to check for H. pylori or cancer cells.
- Blood Tests
- To detect anemia from chronic bleeding.
List of Ulcer tests available at Ganesh Diagnostic Center
Buruli Ulcer (Book Now)
Helicobacter Pylori Package (Book Now)
Helicobacter Pylori Antibody Panel (Book Now)
Gastroenterology Tests (Book Now)
Biopsy (Book Now)
Tips to Prevent Ulcers
- Do not use too much of NSAIDs medication, which leads to stomach ulcers.
- Keep proper hygiene by washing hands and foot regularly. This helps to prevent H. pylori infection.
- Eat balanced diet to keep yourself healthy.
- Avoid excessive smoking or alcohol.
- Treat the acid reflex early if it occurs
- Maintain a good health weight
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid excessive salty or spicy food
Conclusion
Ulcers are the condition, when the upper protective layer get damaged and exposes the inner layer of skin. Ulcer condition can get very serious if it is not treated on time. There are various types of ulcers like gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, esophageal ulcers etc. There are various reasons for ulcer like infection (H. pylori), too much acid production, and chronic stress, genetic, some drugs, smoking etc. There are various symptoms related to the condition of ulcers and these include nausea, bloating, stomach fullness, abdominal pain etc. Various tests used for the detection of ulcers include biopsy, endoscopy, blood tests, H. pylori tests etc. Patient going through this condition should always take precautions and strict with treatment for easy and early treatment of the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions related Ulcers
Are Ulcers dangerous?
Ulcers can be dangerous if left untreated for very long time.
Can ulcers be treated through home remedies?
Some eating habits and home remedies can sooth the condition but it cannot be permanent solution always.
What are the various tips to avoid ulcers?
Various tips to avoid ulcers include avoid smoking, exercise, avoid salty and spicy food, eat healthy, adopt hygienic practices etc.
Are Ulcers always related with pain?
No, some ulcers are silent and detected only during tests for other problems.
Is milk good for ulcers?
It is not the permanent solution but it may sooth the condition for some time.
