Stomach ulcer treatment can help
alleviate the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
A stomach ulcer occurs
when the tissue lining of the stomach gets a
break in it.
This can be caused by
several different things. Stress, diet and
smoking were commonly thought to be the
principal causes of stomach ulcers.
However, while those
things certainly heavily contribute to the
formation of stomach ulcers, it is now known
that helicobacer pylori or H. pylori
bacterium is known to be responsible for 60%
of stomach ulcers.
The symptoms of a stomach
ulcer can include abdominal pain,
indigestion, nausea, vomiting and weight
loss. Using a range of methods, doctors are
now able to diagnose a stomach ulcer.
Endoscopy is one way a
doctor may diagnose a stomach ulcer. With an
endoscopy a thin flexible tube is threaded
through the mouth, down the esophagus and
into the stomach. This tube is fitted with a
small camera so the physician can see if
there is an ulcer.
A barium swallow is
another test used to diagnose a stomach
ulcer. With this test a chalky liquid is
swallowed and then an x-ray is performed
showing the lining of the stomach. The
barium liquid helps your physician to see
evidence of an ulcer.
To check for the presence
of H. pylori, a C14 breath test is done.
With this test you swallow an amount of
radioactive carbon (C14) and then the air
that is exhaled from the lungs is tested.
There are several
different stomach ulcer treatment options
depending on the cause of your stomach
ulcer.
If your ulcer is from H.
Pylori, then medication such as antibiotics
may be prescribed. Different drugs to help
speed the healing process are used in
combination and are needed to destroy the H.
Pylori colony.
If your ulcer is due to
medications that you are on then changes to
your existing medications may be in order to
reduce their contributing effects on the
stomach ulcer. Lifestyle modification is
another stomach ulcer treatment if your
ulcer is from smoking or stress or diet.
Stomach ulcer treatment
options include antibiotics, medication
changes and lifestyle changes. If you are
experiencing the symptoms of a stomach ulcer
such as abdominal pain, nausea and weight
loss see your doctor to discuss your
options.
