When the lining of the stomach becomes compromised, the normal acids that aid in daily digestive functions corrode it, making it vulnerable. The lesion that forms, called an ulcer, can be quite small (about 7 mm) but can also be up to 5 cm in diameter. If left untreated, the gastric juices continue to erode the gastric mucosa and damage the blood vessels below. Although some people have no signs of this disease, the most frequent symptoms are malaise and burning. If you suspect you have a bleeding ulcer, see your doctor. It is generally treated with drug therapies. In any case, since it could cause internal bleeding, it is necessary to be examined as soon as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Symptoms of a Bleeding Ulcer
Step 1. Notice if you feel pain in your upper abdomen
If you have a peptic or bleeding ulcer, you may experience a moderate burning sensation in the central part of the abdomen, i.e. between the navel and the breastbone. It can be intermittent throughout the day, but typically gets worse soon after meals.
- It can also be painful when you don't eat and your stomach goes empty for several hours.
- Basically the pain from this disorder gets worse when the stomach is completely empty or very full.
Step 2. Pay attention to the recurring feeling of nausea
If you only feel it once, it's not a sure sign, but if you feel nauseous several times a week, or even more than once a day, it could be a bleeding ulcer. You may also feel abdominal bloating with or without nausea.
- The amount of blood secreted by the ulcer affects the severity of nausea and swelling.
- In addition to nausea, you may notice changes in appetite and sudden weight loss.
Step 3. Look for blood in your vomit
The bleeding ulcer irritates the stomach by filling it with blood. Often this phenomenon causes nausea and vomiting, in many cases made up of material similar to coffee grounds. Even if you don't see any blood, frequent vomiting can indicate a peptic ulcer. See your doctor right away if you notice blood or coffee-like substances in your vomit, as these indicate a problem that needs urgent treatment.
In addition to nausea and vomiting, ulcer sufferers have frequent heartburn and are intolerant to fatty foods
Step 4. Pay attention to the symptoms of anemia
If the ulcer is not producing a lot of blood, you will most likely not experience the symptoms mentioned above. In these cases, the first sign of this disorder may be anemia, the symptoms of which include dizziness and continual fatigue. You may also be wheezing or have a pale complexion.
Anemia is a disorder characterized by an insufficient amount of blood circulating in the body
Step 5. Notice traces of blood in the stool
To determine if you have a bleeding ulcer, look at your stool, particularly if it contains blood, is dark in color (almost black) and appears firm and sticky. In this case they are referred to as tarry stools.
Their consistency is comparable to that of the tar used to waterproof roofs
Step 6. Go to the emergency room if you have a bleeding ulcer
In severe form it can produce internal bleeding that requires urgent medical attention. In other words, it promotes massive blood loss, putting the patient's life at risk. If you think you have a bleeding ulcer, go to the emergency room immediately.
- Signs of a bleeding ulcer include: severe pain in the upper abdomen, extreme weakness or exhaustion, and abundant blood in the stool and vomit.
- Usually, the blood in the stool is not red, but it contributes to the formation of tarry-looking fecal material.
Part 2 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Ask your doctor if you need to have a stool test
To collect a stool sample, get a special sterile container and use the spatula on the cap to pick up a walnut-sized amount. Place it in the resealable container. If you are unable to take the sample to the lab right away, store it in the refrigerator.
The presence of blood will be analyzed. In this case it could indicate a bleeding ulcer in the stomach or small intestine
Step 2. Undergo an endoscopy
This is a diagnostic technique used to detect a bleeding ulcer. During the procedure, a small tube equipped with a camera is introduced into the esophagus and into the stomach so that the doctor has the opportunity to observe the organ from the inside and inspect the mucosa for a bleeding ulcer.
- Inserting the tube can create mild discomfort as it passes through the throat and stomach, however it is not so painful that an anesthetic is required. However, it is possible that a drug may be given to relax. Check with your doctor before undergoing this test to find out if you will need to take any mild sedatives.
- A biopsy can also be done during endoscopy.
- Instead of endoscopy, your doctor may recommend an X-ray study of the upper digestive system. It consists of a series of x-rays used to examine any abnormalities in the stomach and small intestine.
Step 3. Ask your doctor if you need to be tested for Helicobacter pylori
A stool test, breath test, or blood test can be used to diagnose this bacterium. If you have to carry out the breath test you will be invited to inhale a gas that decomposes Helicobacter pylori in the stomach and, then, to exhale into a vial that the operator will immediately plug. The air exhaled in the tube will be analyzed for the bacterium.
Helicobacter pylori is an insidious bacterium that can damage the gastric mucosa. Its presence in the stomach could indicate a peptic or bleeding ulcer. It can be eradicated with an antibiotic treatment prescribed by the doctor
Part 3 of 3: Healing with Medical Treatment
Step 1. Ask your doctor if he can prescribe a drug that inhibits stomach acid secretion
If your doctor diagnoses a bleeding ulcer, he will prescribe at least one medication to help heal the sore. In general, gastroprotectors are preferred because, by creating a less acidic environment, they allow the ulcer to heal spontaneously. The most prescribed drugs in these cases are:
- Omeprazole (Antra).
- Lansoprazole (Lansox).
- Pantoprazole (Pantorc).
- Esomeprazole (Lucen).
Step 2. Take a drug to eradicate Helicobacter pylori
If the breath test, blood tests, or stool tests are positive for the bacterium, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic that can eliminate it systemically. This drug will remove the main irritant inside the stomach and allow the gastric mucosa to heal on its own. Commonly prescribed drugs to eradicate Helicobacter pylori include:
- Amoxicillin (Augmentin).
- Metronidazole (Flagyl).
- Tinidazole (Trimonase).
- If the test results aren't ready, call the lab. They should be available within 4 days of picking up.
Step 3. Ask about medications to protect the stomach lining or small intestine
If you have a bleeding ulcer, your doctor will prescribe a medicine that creates a physical barrier to protect your stomach or intestines. It will prevent the ulcer from spreading further by giving it time to heal the bleeding and heal on its own. Generally the most used drugs in these cases are:
- Sucralfate (Antepsin).
- Misoprostol (Cytotec).
- Your doctor may suggest a different molecule depending on whether the bleeding ulcer is in the stomach or small intestine.
Step 4. Undergo surgery to close the ulcer
If the problem reaches a certain severity, a surgical procedure may be necessary in order to close the ulcer and stop the bleeding. Although this is a rare operation, it must be taken into account that sometimes the lesion cannot heal on its own. In this case the surgeon will have to perform one or more operations so that it stops bleeding and can heal properly. There are three types of surgical procedures in case the bleeding ulcer becomes a serious health threat.
- Vagotomy: consists of the surgical section of the vagus nerve (the nerve that connects the brain to many parts of the body, including the stomach). Stops gastric hypersecretion and promotes the reparative process.
- Antrectomy: consists in the removal of the lower portion of the stomach in order to inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid.
- Pyloroplasty: consists of widening the pylorus (an opening at the base of the stomach) in order to allow food to be digested more easily in the small intestine.
Step 5. Manage the pain caused by the ulcer as you heal
You may continue to feel bad even after you start medication. In these cases, you can fight the pain in various ways. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take an antacid regularly or stop smoking. Eating can also affect the pain produced by the ulcer, so if you notice that some dishes irritate your stomach, stop eating them.
- Also, try to have 5-6 smaller meals a day so you don't fill your stomach or leave it completely empty.
- See your doctor if the pain lasts more than 3-4 weeks after taking the medications. He may advise you to stop some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can irritate the ulcer.
Advice
- The ulcer usually takes 2-8 weeks to heal. If you have been diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for 2 weeks and / or a gastroprotector to take for another 4-6 weeks.
- Most of the time, an ulcer forms in the stomach (gastric ulcer). However, in other cases it can be located in the small intestine (duodenal ulcer).
