Early symptoms of gastric ulcer

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 05, 2024
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Gastric ulcers refer to ulcerative lesions on the gastric mucosa and are very common in gastroenterology. Typical symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen, often presenting as dull pain or a burning sensation in the early stages. Particularly after eating, pain in the upper abdomen occurs within an hour and gradually eases after two hours. As the condition progresses, complications such as gastric bleeding and gastric perforation may occur. Diagnosis can be confirmed clinically through a barium meal examination and gastroscopy. Currently, with the development of internal medicine drugs, most gastric ulcers can be treated with medication.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal?

Gastric ulcers are a very common disease in gastroenterology. For minor ulcers, adjustments in diet, quitting smoking and drinking, consuming more green vegetables, getting more rest, and reducing mental stress can gradually lead to recovery. More severe ulcers require active medication use. To achieve ulcer healing, the course of acid-reducing medication usually lasts four to six weeks. Commonly used medications include those that inhibit gastric acid secretion, such as HR receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, as well as some bismuth agents and weakly alkaline antacids to protect the stomach lining. Meanwhile, dietary management should be strengthened. Through effective medical treatment, the healing rate of gastric ulcers can reach over 95%. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can stomach ulcers cause bleeding?

Gastric ulcers with bleeding are relatively common in clinical practice, and bleeding is a common complication of gastric ulcers, so it is considered that gastric ulcers can lead to bleeding. The typical clinical manifestation of a gastric ulcer is abdominal pain. Of course, gastrointestinal bleeding is a common complication, generally presenting as vomiting blood or passing bloody stools, with a considerable amount of bleeding leading to vomiting blood in patients. The diagnosis of gastric ulcers relies on gastroscopy. Therefore, in clinical practice, if patients seek medical advice due to abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding, and gastric ulcers are suspected, we recommend that patients promptly complete a gastroscopy to assess the condition. When patients with gastric ulcers experience bleeding, it is advisable for them to fast and intensify treatment with oral stomach-protecting drugs. Of course, if the blood pressure is low and vital signs are unstable, some medications to replenish blood volume might be added, and if necessary, surgical operations to stop the bleeding may be performed.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What should not be eaten with gastric ulcers?

Patients with gastric ulcers should be cautious about their diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and avoid drinking strong tea, coffee, eating fatty, greasy, spicy, fried, barbecued, raw, cold, and sweet foods, as well as drinking milk and soy milk, or eating glutinous rice and sweet potatoes. This is because some of these foods can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid, worsening the irritation of gastric mucosa and exacerbating gastric ulcers. Some are difficult to digest, thus, they are not recommended. It is advisable to eat porridge, drink soups, eat noodles, such as millet porridge, yam porridge, barley porridge, chicken soup, and pork rib soup. When eating meats, ensure they are well-stewed before consumption.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can you smoke with a stomach ulcer?

Patients with gastric ulcers should not smoke, as the tar and nicotine in tobacco can damage the gastric mucosa and worsen ulcer symptoms. Patients should pay attention to proper rest, reduce mental stress, avoid excessive tension and irritability, develop regular living habits, eat meals at fixed times and in fixed amounts, eat more vegetables and fruits, eat less spicy and greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. It's also important to consume less strong tea and coffee. Actively use medications for treatment, commonly including drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. If there is Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)