At times you may feel some burning sensation in your chest and think that perhaps it is a heartburn and rush to buy anti-acid to stop the pain, fine the pain will disappear then after some time it re-occurs.
Never ignore because these could be ulcers which are slowly developing. Therefore let us know what an ulcer is, its causes, symptoms, and prevention.
An ulcer is an open sore on an external or internal surface of the body caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane which fails to heal.
There are several types of ulcers i.e. stomach, peptic, gastric, duodenal and esophagus ulcers.
In this case, We shall deal with stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers are painful sores found in the stomach lining or small intestine. These ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects the stomach from digestive juices is reduced.
Causes of stomach ulcers
There are several causes of stomach ulcers and they include;
Excess acid in the stomach that can be caused by stress, smoking, and certain foods.
Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Hereditary factors i.e. family history of having ulcers.
Age of over 50 years.
Symptoms of stomach ulcers
The most common symptom is severe pain or burning sensation in the chest and it becomes more evident when hungry and can only be constrained by eating, drinking water or milk, and taking anti-acids.
Other symptoms include;Feeling nausea or vomiting.
Feeling nausea or vomiting.
Loss of weight due to not eating because of lack of appetite.
Experiencing heart burns every time.
Stomach ulcers are associated with sudden and sharp pains that last for long, stool with blood stains and bloody vomits. This could be signs that ulcers have gone deep into the stomach and broken the blood vessel.
Preventive measures
Ulcers can be well managed by the person affected. This can only be done through;
Not staying for long without eating food.
Limiting alcohol consumption
Reduce or stop smoking
Not using anti-inflammatory drugs
Avoid indulging in acts that might bring stress
Stomach ulcers can be well managed by seeking medication and get treatment.
If ulcers become severe, surgery should be done by removing the entire ulcer, tying off a bleeding artery and cutting off nerve supply to reduce production of stomach acids.
Finally, talk to your doctor if you experience the above symptoms given that prevention is better than cure.