Ulcer is a common digestive issue which causes discomfort initially and then leads to serious health problems if treatment is not given. Peptic ulcers or stomach ulcers occur when the protective lining of the stomach or small intestine is breached due to excessive acid production or bacterial infections. The bacteria responsible for causing Ulcer is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). These ulcers can impact overall digestive well-being and can cause discomfort, nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems. That is why it is emphasized to understand the effect caused by ulcer and taking preventive action against it to preserve our digestive health.
How Ulcers Affect the Digestive System
1. Disruption of Stomach Lining, the Natural Protection
There is a natural mucous lining that protects the stomach. This lining prevents acid from harming the stomach tissue. When this lining deteriorates due to reasons like infection, chronic NSAID use (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or high alcohol intake, ulcers can develop. This can lead to irritation, burning pain and further complications like bleeding, if left untreated.
2. Chronic Inflammation and Discomfort
Ulcers bring ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. This causes pain, bloating, and feelings of nausea. The irritation caused may intensify after meals or during extended intervals without food. Everyday activities become unpleasant as a result of the irritation caused by the Ulcers.
3. Impaired Nutrient Absorption
The capacity of the body to absorb iron and other vital nutrients can be affected by chronic ulcers. This results in nutritional deficiencies. When internal bleeding occurs due to ulcers, blood loss occurs. This loss of blood causes iron-deficiency anemia.
4. Increased Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Severe ulcers lead to internal bleeding. This can cause the stools to appear dark. Other symptoms like blood in vomit and extreme fatigue are common when there is gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers
People suffering from stomach ulcers may experience the following symptoms:
- Burning stomach pain. This pain increases between meals or at night
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Bad breath or Halitosis
- Indigestion and bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite and unexplainable weight loss
- Dark, tarry stools – this is a sign of internal bleeding
We need to recognize these symptoms early and seek appropriate medical attention to prevent complications.
Managing and Preventing Ulcers
1. Follow a Balanced Diet
Some foods calm the stomach ulcer while others might increase the ulcer symptoms. A diet that heals the ulcer is the one that has plenty of fiber, lean protein sources, and probiotics like curd, idli, etc. You need to avoid spicy foods, citric fruits like lemon, sweet lime, orange, etc, caffeine, and alcohol to avoid making the ulcer worsen.
2. Reduce Stress
Ulcer symptoms may be increased by chronic stress. Stress increases the acid production in the stomach. Relaxation methods like meditation, deep breathing and yoga can help in reducing digestive problems that are directly linked to stress.
3. Limit NSAID Use
Using NSAID drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen without any prescriptions or more often can damage the stomach lining. If you are suffering from pain and want quick relief, speak to a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe alternative drugs or medicines that are less harsh on the stomach lining.
4. Investigation
Investigation for managing and preventing ulcers with endoscopy procedure is a better option. This helps to assess the extent of ulcer present. A common cause of peptic ulcers is H. pylori infection. Biopsy of ulcer tissue is carried out to detect the presence of this bacteria and appropriate treatment is given with antibiotics.
5. Seek Medical Treatment
Visit a doctor immediately if your ulcer symptoms continue. Your doctor might recommend proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to lower stomach acid. If the ulcer is caused by infection from H. pilori, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to bring down the infection.
Ulcers can affect digestive health and can lead to discomfort, nutrient deficiencies, and other severe conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding if not treated. People can prevent and manage ulcers very well by managing factors like diet, lifestyle adjustments, and medical treatment. Digestive health can be supported for the long term by prioritizing gut health. This can be achieved by following a balanced diet and avoiding food that can trigger ulcers.