A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W

GASTRIC ULCER

What is a Gastric Ulcer ?

The stomach is a large organ in the upper part of the abdomen. When food is eaten it passes via the gullet into the stomach where it is stored and digestion begins. If there is damage to the lining of the stomach ulceration may occur and this is called a gastric ulcer. Ulcers usually give pain in the upper abdomen just below the breastbone. The pain may be affected by food and sometimes there is loss of appetite and therefore loss of weight. Occasionally gastric ulcers may bleed. If bleeding occurs slowly then anaemia may develop. If the bleeding is rapid then vomiting blood will occur, usually associated with passing foul smelling partially digested black blood from the back passage.

How does a Gastric Ulcer occur ?

Damage to the lining of the stomach typically occurs in association with infection or exposure to certain drugs.

Why does a Gastric Ulcer occur ?

It is unclear why a particular individual will develop an ulcer. The usual drugs associated with ulcers are aspirin or pain killers such as nurofen and other drugs for arthritis. Often there is an infection due to a bacterium called helicobacter pylori but this is very common in people and appears to cause ulcers in a minority of people. Most gastric ulcers are non-cancerous but occasionally a cancer of the stomach may present in this way.

Treatment Involved for a Gastric Ulcer

When a gastric is suspected the diagnosis is confirmed by examining the stomach using a flexible telescope, called an endoscope, which is passed through the mouth into the stomach. Samples are taken from the ulcer to be examined later under the microscope to exclude a cancer presenting in this way. The ulcer is usually healed by a prolonged course of acid suppressing medication. If there is an associated infection with helicobacter pylori then this is treated with a course of two antibiotics at the same time. If the ulcer is associated with the use of medication then this will be discontinued if possible or alternatively acid suppressing medication will be continued indefinitely.

During Treatment for a Gastric Ulcer

Treatment with acid suppressing medication is usually very well tolerated. Pain usually settles after a few days although the ulcer takes some weeks to heal. If antibiotics are given to treat helicobacter pylori then it is important to complete the full course if possible. Antibiotics are occasionally associated with diarrhoea which settles rapidly and allergic reactions can occur.

After Treatment for a Gastric Ulcer

There should be complete recovery. It is often important to ensure that any infection has been fully eradicated and that the ulcer has healed. Usually the endoscopy is repeated after six to eight weeks to re-examine the stomach and the ulcer.

If a Gastric Ulcer is Left Untreated

There is likely to be continuing ill health with weight loss. The risks of complications such as bleeding will remain

Effects on Family of a Gastric Ulcer

If untreated then the chronic ill health associated with a gastric ulcer may lead to depression, lethargy and reduced effectiveness. This can obviously be debilitating and lead to impaired relationships within the family as well as time away from work. If complications occur then they can be life threatening.