Ulcers
In old movies, we see stressed out businessmen complaining about ulcers. That's because we used to think that a stressful lifestyle caused ulcers - that or spicy food. Ulcers are caused by too much acid in the stomach, and the reasons for excess acid is usually a bacterial infection or prolonged use of NSAID painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Smoking can also be a culprit.
Ulcers cause pain, most often when the stomach is empty or at night. The pain can in the chest, as low as the navel, or as high as the breastbone. Often eating will reduce the pain. Severe ulcers can cause vomiting. Modern treatment is with medicine to kill bacterial infection and to block, suppress, or neutralize excess acid.
Recently Answered
- Q What causes esophageal ulcers?
-
There are several causes of esophageal ulcers, one of which is continual acid reflux. In fact, most people who suffer from esophageal ulcers associate the disorder with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). As a type of peptic ulcer, esophageal ulcers... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What causes refractory ulcers?
-
Several factors may lead to an ulcer becoming refractory. Generally, people experience refractory ulcers because they did not take their medication properly, used alcohol or tobacco, took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and the like) for a... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Who is most likely to develop a penetrating ulcer?
-
Patients who develop a penetrating ulcer usually have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), hypertension (high blood pressure), and back or chest pain. Many are current or former smokers. Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How is a penetrating ulcer diagnosed?
-
Diagnosis of a penetrating ulcer may be done through CT scan, MRI, and/or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How can ulcers affect my quality of life?
-
As long as ulcers receive the treatment they require, they should not have a major effect on your life. The pain and other symptoms that accompany an ulcer may inconvenience you and make you uncomfortable for awhile, but those symptoms will go away after... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How should I prepare for an appointment to diagnose an ulcer?
-
Depending on where your possible ulcer is, you may have to prepare differently for your appointment. It is a good idea in general to know your symptoms, including when and where they occur; your medical history; what medications you take; and any... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Can other illnesses cause ulcers?
-
Ulcers can be symptoms of other health problems. Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, can cause peptic ulcers on the intestinal surface as well as large, persistent canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Because ulcers can be a sign of a larger... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How do I manage my ulcer on a daily basis?
-
Managing ulcers is mostly about pain management and allowing the ulcer time to heal. If your doctor has prescribed you medication, make sure to take it as advised. If you have a peptic ulcer or aphthous ulcer (canker sore), you should avoid the foods... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my ulcer symptoms?
-
Whether or not you need to talk to your doctor about your ulcer symptoms depends on the kind of ulcer you think you have, as well as the severity of the pain you are experiencing. If your ulcer symptoms are interfering with your life, it is a good idea... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What increases my risk for ulcers?
-
The different kinds of ulcers come with their own risk factors. Having any disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, such as Crohn's disease or an autoimmune disorder, increases your risk for ulcers, and stress can play a role. Peptic... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
