Tennova Healthcare Addresses What You Should Know About Peptic Ulcers
6/11/2018
Health system offers good advice for better digestive health
Think that burning sensation in your stomach is just the orange juice you had for breakfast? That’s possible, but it could also be a sign of peptic ulcer disease. To help the community recognize the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcers, Tennova Healthcare is sharing tips for better digestive health.
A peptic ulcer is a sore that develops in a part of the digestive tract. There are three types of peptic ulcers: gastric (inside the stomach), esophageal (inside the esophagus), and duodenal (inside the upper section of the small intestine).
“Peptic ulcers are a common health problem, due to medications and the dietary and environmental stressors in our country,” said Chad E. Potteiger, D.O., a gastroenterologist with Tennova Healthcare. “Unfortunately, many patients live with the symptoms for long periods of time and are unaware of the condition. Left untreated, these ulcers can cause serious complications.”
Approximately 25 million Americans will have a peptic ulcer at some point in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People of any age can get an ulcer, and women are affected just as often as men.
Only about a quarter of people with ulcers experience symptoms. The most common symptom is abdominal pain anywhere between your belly button and breastbone. In general, the abdominal pain:
- Happens when your stomach is empty, such as between meals or during the night
- Lasts for minutes to hours
- Comes and goes for several days, weeks or months
- Stops briefly if you eat or if you take antacids
Less common symptoms may include:
- Bloating
- Burping
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Poor appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
“For some patients, the first indication that they have a peptic ulcer is when that sore starts to slowly bleed, causing symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia,” Dr. Potteiger said. “If you have any of the digestive symptoms associated with a peptic ulcer, you need to be particularly aware of any signs that you might be anemic, such as pale skin color, shortness of breath with physical activity, fatigue or lightheadedness.”
An ulcer that is bleeding more heavily may cause stools that are black and tarry, or signs of blood in your stool or vomit. These latter symptoms can be an indication of a life-threatening condition, and you should proceed immediately to an emergency room.
So, why do some people get ulcers and others (even those with a similar lifestyle and diet) don’t?
“The catalyst for peptic ulcers has much to do with the structure of mucus in your digestive tract,” Dr. Potteiger said. "When the normal mucosal barrier is lessened, the acid gradually erodes the surface of your stomach or intestine—creating an open sore that can bleed.”
The cause of an ulcer can’t always be determined, but the two most common factors are a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H. pylori is a bacterium that lives within the mucus in the digestive tract. It can sometimes cause inflammation in the stomach lining, which leads to an ulcer. The risk may be greater if you are infected with H. pylori and you also smoke.
NSAIDs are among the most commonly used medications in the world, but they can make it hard for your digestive tract to protect itself from stomach acids. Additionally, NSAIDS reduce the ability of your blood to clot, which can make a bleeding ulcer much more dangerous. Medications in the NSAID category include aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs are also included in some combination medications used to treat colds or stomach upset, so you must be cautious about proper dosing.
“If you use multiple medications, there’s a good chance you are taking more NSAIDs than you realize,” Dr. Potteiger said. “Your risk of NSAID-related ulcers is higher if you drink alcohol, use corticosteroids, are over the age of 65, or have had ulcers in the past.
“Don’t ignore signs of digestive pain that lasts more than a few days,” he added. “Ulcers and potentially related anemia can be diagnosed with lab work, diagnostic imaging, or an upper GI endoscopy. Your condition can be treated at virtually any stage with some combination of medication and lifestyle changes. The consequences of not receiving a diagnosis and treatment can be devastating, and are quite avoidable.”
If you have concerns about abdominal pain or discomfort, don’t suffer needlessly or risk allowing a minor problem to worsen. Make an appointment with your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist.
For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).
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