{"id":661,"date":"2017-10-05T11:47:25","date_gmt":"2017-10-05T11:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=661"},"modified":"2021-07-12T15:31:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T15:31:54","slug":"17-common-symptoms-ulcer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/17-common-symptoms-ulcer\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Most Common Symptoms of an Ulcer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"When it comes to sores, many of them are easy to diagnose because they appear in visible locations, such as the arms or legs. However, not all sores are visible, which can make it difficult to diagnose and treat. A stomach ulcer is one of these types of sores.<\/p>\n

Also known as a gastric ulcer, or simply an ulcer, these sores develop in the lining of the stomach. They are a form of peptic ulcer disease and can be extremely painful. Peptic ulcers are any type of ulcer that develops in either the small intestine or the stomach.<\/p>\n

The stomach is lined by a dense layer of mucus. This mucus protects the stomach from digestive fluids. When that layer of mucus thins out, the highly acidic digestive fluids literally eat away at the lining of the stomach, which leads to the formation of an ulcer.<\/p>\n

There are various reasons why an ulcer can form. Some of the most common causes include bacterial infection, particularly an infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Other factors that can cause an ulcer include using ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory medications for prolonged periods of time. Excessive consumption of alcohol and the stomach can also contribute to this condition. In rare cases, stomach ulcers can develop when the body produces higher levels of stomach acid, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, it can be hard to tell the source of pain in the stomach. Here are 17 symptoms that are indicative of an ulcer.<\/p>\n

1. Nausea<\/h3>\n

One of the early signs of an ulcer is nausea<\/a>. As digestive acids make contact with the lining of the stomach, they can make you feel queasy and sick to your stomach. At first, nausea may be mild and dismissed; however, as the ulcer progresses, nausea will increase. In fact, nausea can become so intense that it can actually be debilitating and interrupt your daily life. While nausea is also a symptom of several other medical conditions, if it persists and gets worse, it could be caused by an ulcer.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Vomiting<\/h3>\n

As the ulcer and nausea progress, you will likely start vomiting<\/a>. Again, like nausea, vomiting may be minimal at first. But, over time, it will intensify. You could end up having several vomiting incidents throughout the day, and it will be aggravated during and after eating.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because while the stomach acids are breaking down the food, they are also making contact with the lining of the stomach. Frequent bouts of vomiting can also make an ulcer worse. On top of that, frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration. If you\u2019re vomiting on a regular basis, seeing your doctor is critical.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. A burning sensation<\/h3>\n

An ulcer essentially burns through the wall of the stomach, and as it does, it can cause a painful burning sensation<\/a>. At first, the pain may be dull, but as time passes, it will intensify. It might feel like a sharp, shooting pain in the upper portion of the abdomen, right where the stomach sits.<\/p>\n

The pain will also increase during and after eating. Again, that is because the digestive juices are activated while eating and will make contact with the site of the ulcer. The pain may also be more severe when the stomach is empty.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. A stomachache<\/h3>\n

A burning sensation can certainly be indicative of a stomach ulcer<\/a>; however, you might not experience such severe pain. Instead, you might develop a stomachache, which can be associated with a dull nagging pain. While this pain is not usually severe, it can be constant and certainly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

A stomachache could be attributed to the swelling and general irritation around the ulcer itself. Like a burning sensation, a stomachache may be more noticeable and intense during or after eating, or when the stomach is empty. A stomachache could be a sign of several conditions, but if it lasts for a long period of time, chances are that you have an ulcer.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Vomiting blood<\/h3>\n

If an ulcer causes you to throw up, don\u2019t be surprised if you find blood in your vomit<\/a>. Blood in the vomit is a sign of a more advanced and severe ulcer. It suggests that the digestive juices have eaten through the stomach so severely that it is actually leaving the stomach raw.<\/p>\n

The vomit may appear pinkish or reddish in color, or you might find small dots of red throughout it. In either case, if you suspect you are seeing blood in your vomit, you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Prompt medical treatment is necessary.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Decreased appetite<\/h3>\n

Another very common symptom of an ulcer is the loss of appetite. Of course, if your stomach is upset and\/or you are vomiting, and those symptoms are made worse during or after eating, it stands to reason that you wouldn\u2019t have much interest in eating.<\/p>\n

Decreased appetite is a symptom that is associated with a variety of medical ailments, so if find that you aren\u2019t interested in eating, it may not be indicative of an ulcer.<\/p>\n

However, if you have lost the desire to eat, or you simply don\u2019t find that your appetite<\/a> isn\u2019t like it used to be and you are experiencing any other symptoms on this list, an ulcer could be to blame.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Darkened stools<\/h3>\n

An ulcer doesn\u2019t only affect the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract<\/a>; it can affect the lower part, too. Many people who have an ulcer experience darkening of their stools. This is a sign of blood in the GI tract. When an ulcer causes bleeding in the stomach, it may be visible in the blood, but it can also be seen in the stools.<\/p>\n

As blood pushes its way from the stomach through the lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract, it will eventually push its way out, along with stool. As a result, the stool can become darker in color.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Unexplained weight loss<\/h3>\n

If you have lost a noticeable amount of weight in a short period of time and you haven\u2019t made an effort to do so, you could have an ulcer. As mentioned, one of the symptoms of an ulcer is a decrease in appetite<\/a>. Of course, if you aren\u2019t eating as much as you normally do, you are naturally going to lose weight.<\/p>\n

Excessive vomiting can also contribute to weight loss. In either case, if you are shedding pounds at a fast rate and you are exhibiting any of the other symptoms of an ulcer, it\u2019s time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Bloating<\/h3>\n

A stomach ulcer can make you feel bloated. It\u2019s not unusual to experience bloating after eating a large meal or drinking a lot of fluid; however, an ulcer could also make you look and feel bloated<\/a>. Your stomach may look as if it is bulging, and you could have a general feeling of discomfort in the abdominal region.<\/p>\n

Bloating can also compound the loss of appetite, which can further contribute to weight loss \u2013 and yes, you can still feel bloated even if you have lost weight.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Hunger pains<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not unusual to feel hunger pains when your stomach is empty. It feels like a gnawing, raw pain, and it is often associated with grumbling and growling. However, if you have an ulcer, you may experience hunger pains right after eating, when your stomach is full.<\/p>\n

What you are experiencing isn\u2019t really hunger pains, but rather, the pain is caused by digestion<\/a>. When you eat, your digestive fluids are activated. When you have an ulcer, those digestive juices can come into contact with the affected spot, resulting in what seems like hunger pains.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Increased gassiness<\/h3>\n

Many people who have ulcers say that they experience increased gas. Their stomachs rumble more often, and they expel gas either as belches or as flatulence<\/a>. Gas can be experienced even when you haven\u2019t eaten anything.<\/p>\n

The reason behind the increased gas could be the result of the ulcer obstructing the intestines. If this happens, gas will build up as food is being broken down, or even when there is no food in the stomach. You might notice that you are burping or passing wind more often than you usually would.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Heartburn<\/h3>\n

Also known as acid reflux, heartburn<\/a> can be annoying, and it can be downright painful. In fact, if you have an ulcer, the heartburn you experience could be so severe that you actually might think you are having a heart attack.<\/p>\n

The reason why heartburn is such a common symptom of heartburn lies in the digestive juices; the same juices that burned through the stomach and caused the ulcer to develop in the first place. Those acids can work their way up into the esophagus, thus causing a severe burning sensation that passes through the chest and even up into the throat.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Dehydration<\/h3>\n

Since an ulcer can cause excessive vomiting, dehydration<\/a> is not an uncommon symptom to experience with an ulcer. Every time you throw up, you lose valuable fluids that your body needs to stay hydrated. Also, having bouts of diarrhea can compound the problem.<\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t replacing those fluids, it could lead to dehydration. Being dehydrate is dangerous. It can have a number of devastating consequences on your overall health and well being. For example, it could impact major organs in your body, cause muscle aches and pains, and lead to headaches.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"14. A fever<\/h3>\n

Though a stomach ulcer itself will not cause a fever, you could develop a fever if your ulcer was caused by an infection, or if it becomes infected after it develops. A fever<\/a> is one of the body\u2019s first lines of defense in fighting infections.<\/p>\n

Whether your ulcer was caused by an infection, or if it becomes infected after it forms, there is a very real possibility that your temperature will rise. While a fever associated with an ulcer isn\u2019t always dire, it can become serious, especially if it rises to a high temperature<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Sleep problems<\/h3>\n

Though there are many factors that can contribute to sleep problems, such as depression<\/a>, anxiety, and congestion, just to name a few, an ulcer can also make sleeping difficult. The pain in the stomach can become so severe that it can be hard to fall asleep.<\/p>\n

If you do fall asleep, the pain could wake you, or a sudden need to vomit could rattle you awake. Again, while problems with sleeping are not solely indicative of an ulcer, if you are having a hard time falling \u2013 or staying asleep \u2013 and you have any other ulcer-related symptoms, you should consider seeing a doctor.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. Easily feeling full<\/h3>\n

When you have an ulcer, you might find that you feel full much quicker than you normally would. For instance, you may feel as if you ate a large meal after eating just a few bites.<\/p>\n

The reason for this could be associated with the inflammation<\/a> of the stomach that occurs when an ulcer develops. If this happens, there will be less space in your stomach to accommodate food, which means that you will feel fuller after eating only a small amount.<\/p>\n

\"\"17. Shortness of breath<\/h3>\n

When you have an ulcer, you may find that you become winded much easier than you normally would. For example, you might be out of breath after walking up a short flight of stairs or taking a short walk. You might even feel breathless when you aren\u2019t exerting any physical activity.<\/p>\n

Shortness of breath could be attributed to your body\u2019s reaction to an infection<\/a>. If the ulcer was caused by an infection or becomes infected after it forms, your body will try to fight off the infection, which could make you feel short of breath.<\/p>\n\r\n

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