Symptoms of gastric ulcer

Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 05, 2024
00:00
00:00

The clinical manifestations of stomach ulcers can vary from person to person. Some patients are asymptomatic and present to the clinic due to stomach bleeding or perforation. Generally, there are three main characteristics of peptic ulcers: First, they tend to be a chronic, recurrent condition. Second, they exhibit periodicity. Third, they have rhythmic manifestations. The primary symptom is periodic, rhythmic upper abdominal pain, often described as burning, dull, or bloating pain. This usually occurs in the upper abdomen, possibly on the left or right side, and typically manifests as post-meal pain. Nighttime pain is uncommon, and there may be localized tenderness. If the ulcer occurs in the pyloric canal, it may lack some of these typical symptoms. Post-meal intense pain is possible, and the effectiveness of medication is generally poor. This condition can easily lead to vomiting or pyloric obstruction and is also prone to perforation and bleeding. A minority of stomach ulcers may potentially become cancerous.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

Gastric ulcer clinical symptoms

Gastric ulcers are a common clinical manifestation, with diverse symptoms. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or early satiety. Typically, the abdominal pain is more noticeable after eating and presents as postprandial abdominal pain, but it can naturally subside after several hours. Of course, when accompanied by complications such as decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting, it can manifest as vomiting blood or bloody stools, with the stools often being loose and black in color. Therefore, clinically, if you encounter situations like bleeding stools or vomiting blood accompanied by abdominal pain, ulcers should be considered, and it is recommended to seek timely treatment at a local hospital. If these conditions are relatively stable, they can be managed with medication.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

How is a gastric ulcer diagnosed?

Gastric ulcers are inflammatory defects that occur on the gastric mucosa, related to the gastric acid and digestive actions of gastric juices. Diagnosis mainly relies on clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations, with typical symptoms including recurring or periodic upper abdominal pain that worsens after eating, as well as occurrences of belching. X-ray barium meal examinations can reveal filling defects, and gastroscopy can provide a full view of the ulcer. Treatment primarily involves the use of medications that suppress gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. Additionally, it is important to enhance health education, eat less spicy and greasy food, have meals regularly and in measured amounts, and consume more green vegetables. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

Are stomach ulcers prone to recurrence?

After healing from a gastric ulcer, it is not easy to relapse if health education is strengthened. Usually, it is important to rest more, reduce stress, as excessive tension can lead to excitement of the vagus nerve, stimulate gastric acid secretion, and easily induce ulcers. Additionally, improving dietary habits, strictly quitting smoking and drinking, minimizing consumption of strong tea and coffee, and ceasing the use of medications that irritate the gastric mucosa when necessary, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid hormones, are essential. Meals should be on a regular schedule and in controlled portions, avoiding overeating and overdrinking. If gastrointestinal irritation symptoms occur, treatment should be proactive, and if infected with Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria should be actively eradicated. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can early-stage gastric ulcers be cured?

Gastric ulcers are a disease characterized by defects in the gastric mucosa. The main symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, belching, and acid reflux. These defects in the gastric mucosa can be observed through gastroscopy, allowing for a diagnosis of gastric ulcers. The treatment primarily focuses on suppressing acid, protecting the stomach, and enhancing gastric motility. Additionally, it is important to test for Helicobacter pylori. If the test for Helicobacter pylori is positive, standardized treatment against Helicobacter pylori should be administered. This bacterium is a primary cause of gastric ulcers. With proper treatment, gastric ulcers generally heal within six to eight weeks. During the treatment period, dietary considerations are crucial; it is important to consume easily digestible foods and avoid fatty, rich, and hard-to-digest foods to aid in the recovery from gastric ulcers.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
45sec home-news-image

Causes of gastric ulcer

It is currently believed that Helicobacter pylori infection is closely related to gastritis activity, ulcer formation, and tumors. Therefore, the main cause of gastric ulcers is the infection of Helicobacter pylori. Other factors, such as drugs, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid medications, often lead to gastric mucosal damage and result in peptic ulcers. Psychological factors, such as long-term excessive tension or high stress, often lead to peptic ulcers as well. Poor dietary and living habits, such as excessive drinking, consuming raw, irritating, greasy food, or binge eating, also promote the occurrence of peptic ulcers.