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An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while one in the first part of the intestines is a duodenal ulcer. [1] The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper abdominal pain, and upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. [1] With a gastric ulcer, the pain may worsen with eating. [7]
The ulcer is known initially as a peptic ulcer before the ulcer burns through the full thickness of the stomach or duodenal wall. A diagnosis is made by taking an erect abdominal/chest X-ray (seeking air under the diaphragm). This is in fact one of the very few occasions in modern times where surgery is undertaken to treat an ulcer. [3]
There may be no symptoms but, when symptoms are present, the most common is upper abdominal pain (see dyspepsia). [1] Other possible symptoms include nausea and vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite and heartburn. [1] [2] Complications may include stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, and stomach tumors. [1]
Abdominal pain, also known as a stomach ache, is a symptom associated with both non-serious and serious medical issues. Since the abdomen contains most of the body's vital organs, it can be an indicator of a wide variety of diseases.
Stomach cancers usually occur due to fluctuations in acidity level and may present with vague symptoms of abdominal fullness, weight loss and pain. The actual cause of stomach cancer is not known but has been linked to infection with Helicobacter pylori , pernicious anemia , Menetriere's disease, and nitrogenous preservatives in food.
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Helicobacter pylori colonizes the stomach for decades in most people, and induces chronic gastritis, a long-lasting inflammation of the stomach. In most cases symptoms are never experienced but about 10–20% of those infected will ultimately develop gastric and duodenal ulcers, and have a possible 1–2% lifetime risk of gastric cancer. [65]
About half of cases are due to peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcers). [3] Esophageal inflammation and erosive disease are the next most common causes. [3] In those with liver cirrhosis, 50–60% of bleeding is due to esophageal varices. [3] Approximately half of those with peptic ulcers have an H. pylori infection. [3]