Gastric ulcer (peptic ulcer, peptic ulcer) is a wound that appears on the stomach wall due to erosion of the lining of the stomach wall. This wound also has the potential to appear on the walls of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) and the esophagus (esophagus). Gastric ulcers can cause pain in the stomach or even bleeding in severe cases.
This disease can affect everyone at any age. Even so, men over the age of 60 have a higher risk of experiencing it. Gastric ulcer itself can be treated thoroughly if the main cause is known.
Symptoms of gastric ulcer
The main symptoms that you will feel if you experience stomach ulcers are pain or pain in the stomach. The pain arises because of the irritation caused by stomach acid which soaks the wound. These symptoms are usually in the form of pain that:
Spread to the neck, navel and back.
Appears at night.
Feels worse when the stomach is empty.
Generally reduced temporarily if you eat or consume stomach acid-lowering drugs.
Missing then relapsing a few days or weeks later.
In addition to pain in the stomach, there are several other symptoms that you may experience, including heartburn, no appetite, nausea, and indigestion.
If you feel these symptoms, see your doctor. However, stomach ulcers sometimes do not cause any symptoms until complications occur.
Therefore, you should be vigilant and immediately go to the hospital for emergency treatment, especially if you have vomiting of blood, blood stools or black color, and stabbing abdominal pain that appears suddenly and continues to get worse. These symptoms indicate bleeding in the stomach.
Causes of gastric ulcers
The stomach wall is usually covered by a membrane (mucus) which protects it from stomach acid. Increased gastric acid levels or thinning of the stomach protective membrane has the potential to trigger the appearance of gastric ulcers.
Common causes that can reduce the protection of the stomach wall against stomach acid include Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, aspirin, or diclofenac are some examples of frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, pancreatic tumors (gastrinoma) and radiation treatment in the gastric area can also cause gastric ulcers.
Infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria is a common condition and is often not realized by the sufferer. While the consumption of frequent or prolonged non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will increase the risk of gastric ulcers, especially for the elderly.
In addition to bacteria and drugs, lifestyle factors also increase the risk of suffering from stomach ulcers, such as:
Eating alcoholic beverages which can thin the protective membrane of the stomach wall.
Experience stress that is not immediately treated.
Smoking increases the risk of developing gastric ulcers for people infected with the pylori bacteria.
Many consider spicy food or stress conditions to cause gastric ulcers. This assumption is incorrect. Food and stress do not cause stomach ulcers, but can worsen symptoms.
Diagnosis of gastric ulcer
In the early stages of the diagnosis, the doctor will ask for symptoms that are experienced. If you are suspected of having a stomach ulcer, you will be advised to undergo a more detailed examination. These follow-up tests include gastrokopi (endoscopy), radiological examination (X-ray or CT scan), and examination to ascertain the presence of H. pylori bacteria.
If the doctor suspects that gastric ulcer is due to bacteria and the patient has never taken a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a bacterial examination is likely to be done through a blood test, fecal examination, or breathing test.
Gastroscopy (endoscopy) is also done by inserting the camera into the stomach. This process will help the doctor examine and ensure the presence of wounds on the stomach wall directly. In addition to gastroscopy, a follow-up examination with X-rays or CT scans that give an image of the esophagus (esophagus), stomach, and small intestine can complete the diagnosis. Sometimes this is done by asking the patient to swallow a liquid containing barium so that the resulting image looks clearer.
If stomach ulcers are found, gastric tissue sampling is also carried out in endoscopy. The sample will then be tested to detect the presence of H. pylori bacteria.
Treatment of gastric ulcers
The treatment step for each patient is certainly not the same. Doctors determine it based on the causes of gastric ulcers experienced by patients. The main goal of treatment of gastric ulcers is to destroy the H. pylori bacteria and reduce the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Handling of stomach ulcers is also helped by the administration of medicines.
Common types of drugs I can pass. Complications will trigger symptoms of rapid satiety, vomiting, and weight loss. Surgery procedures may be needed to treat the scar tissue that is formed.
Gastric cancer. Although the connection is still a debate, it is estimated that around 2% of cases of gastric ulcer can develop into gastric cancer. It is H.pylori bacteria that are thought to be the main pathogens for this complication. Infection due to H.pylori can cause chronic inflammation which can significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer.
The age of the patient and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will affect a person's risk of complications from gastric ulcers. Elderly men over 60 years are people with gastric ulcers who have the highest risk of complications.
Likewise with gastric ulcer due to consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Complications in this type often do not show symptoms so they are not realized and cannot be treated until they are advanced and cause complications.
Prevention of gastric ulcer
There are a few simple steps we can take to avoid the risk of getting gastric ulcers. Among others are:
Maintain personal hygiene from the spread of Helicobacter pylori bacteria which generally live in the mucous layer in the gastric protective tissue. This spread can occur through direct contact with patients or through food and drink.
Take care in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Reduce or stop smoking.
Avoid alcoholic drinks.
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