Stomach Ulcer Symptoms
Stomach Ulcers - what are they?
A stomach ulcer otherwise known as a peptic ulcer is a lesion in the lining of the stomach wall. The stomach wall is usually protected by thick mucus which prevents the acid in the stomach from eroding the wall. However, things like a bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori, excessive stress leading to excess acid production, drugs like aspirin can result in the breakdown of the mucosal defences and a stomach ulcer is formed.
Stomach Ulcer Symptoms
- pain in the stomach area that can last up to 3 hours
- pain which occurs after eating in some individuals
- weight loss, sometimes weight gain paradoxically because the affected person keeps eating to alleviate the symptoms
- inappetance
- vomiting
- possible anemia
- blood in the feces
As you can see, stomach ulcer symptoms can sometimes be intermittent and misinterpreted as indications of hunger pangs, or indigestion.
An untreated stomach ulcer could result in a deterioration of the stomach wall in that area and may result in a subsequent perforation which would lead to life threatening peritonitis.
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Stomach Ulcer Symptoms