Peptic ulcer - a fairly common problem. Such diseases bring a lot of trouble into a person’s life. And the question of what the first signs of a stomach ulcer look like is becoming more and more relevant. After all, the sooner therapy is started, the less likely the development of complications.
What is a stomach ulcer?
It's no secret that an ulcer often develops against a background of gastritis. Nevertheless, there are many reasons that can cause such a disease or provoke its exacerbation. And before you know what the main symptoms of a stomach ulcer look like, it’s worthwhile to find out the main risk factors.
Enzymes secreted by specific cells have proteolytic properties - they can break down protein molecules. But the activation of these biologically active substances occurs only in the presence of hydrochloric acid. In turn, the mucous membrane of the stomach protects the tissue from exposure to an acidic environment. Ulcers form when the balance between the level of hydrochloric acid and the amount or properties of mucus changes.
Such violations can occur under the influence of toxins and poisons, as well as against the background of the activity of certain bacteria. Risk factors include malnutrition, smoking and alcohol abuse, uncontrolled intake of certain medications, and constant stress.
The main symptoms of a stomach ulcer
The clinical picture largely depends on the stage of development of the disease. And patients often attribute the deterioration in well-being to errors in nutrition. So what signs of a stomach ulcer should you pay attention to?
As a rule, in the initial stages of the disease, pains appear in the upper abdomen - they can be either dull or sharp, of varying intensity. Over time, the patient begins to notice attacks of soreness at night, which, of course, affects the quality of sleep and leads to the development of constant fatigue and drowsiness.
Most often, pain is more or less related to meals. For example, patients report soreness with an empty stomach — it disappears 40-60 minutes after eating.
Regular nausea, followed by vomiting, is also a sign of a stomach ulcer. Along with this, there is a decrease in appetite and, as a result, rapid weight loss.
As the disease progresses, the pain may subside or disappear altogether, but this does not at all indicate a cure. At this stage, it is possible to increase body temperature, rapid heart rate, bloating and protrusion of the abdomen, dry mouth.
The most dangerous is the perforation of the ulcer, which is accompanied by severe pain, fever, bloody vomiting, a sharp deterioration in well-being - a person in this condition needs urgent medical attention.
In any case, if you have the above problems, you should contact a gastroenterologist. Only the doctor knows what the signs of a stomach ulcer look like . Treatment should begin only after determining the exact diagnosis. Of course, this requires additional studies, in particular, sounding, radiography, and sometimes a biopsy. In most cases, the right medication and proper diet helps to cure the disease.