When your stomach’s lining is harmed by digesting acids, stomach ulcers develop. Antibiotics, natural therapies, or surgery may be used as treatment, depending on the underlying reason.
Gastric ulcers, another name for stomach ulcers, are painful, open sores that form in the lining of the stomach.
They happen when there is a decrease in the thick coating of mucus that shields your stomach from digestive fluids. This makes it possible for the stomach’s lining tissues to be eroded by the digestive acids, leading to ulceration.
Since stomach ulcers are a subtype of peptic ulcers, stomach acid is a contributing factor. The duodenal ulcer, which affects the small intestine, is the other kind of peptic ulcer.
Although they can be readily healed, stomach ulcers can worsen if left untreated.
Why do stomach ulcers occur?
The following factors account for between 80% and 90% of stomach ulcers:
An infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with prolonged use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines), including naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin
Stomach ulcers may result from the breakdown of the mucosa lining your stomach due to underlying medical disorders and other risk factors. They could consist of:
The Zollinger-Ellison condition
The Crohn’s disease
cigarette smoking
consuming alcohol and contracting viruses
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are two cancer treatments.
Bowel obstruction and gastric infiltrative diseases, including cancer
How can stomach ulcers be identified?
A doctor will examine your medical history, symptoms, and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are currently using in order to identify a stomach ulcer.
They might prescribe a blood, stool, or breath test to rule out an H. pylori infection.
In order to examine your stomach directly for ulcers, a doctor could also prescribe an endoscope. A tiny, illuminated tube will be inserted through your mouth, into your stomach, and into the first segment of your small intestine by the doctor during this procedure. To capture images of your intestine, this tube has a camera.
In a procedure called an endoscopic biopsy, a physician can also extract a sample of stomach tissue for laboratory investigation.
Can stomach ulcers result from eating specific foods?
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, there is no evidence to support the assertions that eating particular foods can result in stomach ulcers.
Certain foods don’t cause stomach ulcers, but they can aggravate their symptoms.
Find out more about stomach ulcers and food.
Home cures for ulcers in the stomach
The following natural treatments may help lessen the signs and consequences of stomach ulcers:
Consuming flavonoid-rich foods
consuming aloe vera supplements and probiotics
However, it’s crucial to remember that there is little data on how effective home treatments are for stomach ulcers.
What you can do at home to ease ulcer pain may also be recommended by your physician.
Signs of ulcers on the stomach