The Ultimate Must-Have Medical Guide To Gastric Ulcer Disease


There are so many diseases that can occur in the stomach. Gastric ulcer is one such disease which are open sores that develop on the inside of the stomach. Foregut clinic in Kolkata is going to give you a medical guide to this common disease. 

Symptoms



Some common symptoms of gastric ulcer are:
    • Burning stomach pain
    • Feeling of fullness, bloating or belching
    • Fatty food intolerance
    • Heartburn
    • Nausea

Causes



There are two main causes of gastric ulcer. One common cause is it can occur due to an infection from the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. It can also occur if you have been taking anti-inflammatory drugs for a very long time. These mainly consist of painkillers. Both bacteria and these drugs can damage the lining of the stomach.

Prevention


It is better to protect yourself from gastric ulcer. You can do that successfully if you can prevent getting infected by bacteria. Doctors say that H. Pylori can get transmitted through food and water. Always maintain basic hygiene like washing your hands frequently with soap before and after eating or cooking. 

If you are a regular user of pain relievers medicines, then take steps to reduce the amount you take. You can also take your medication while eating your meals. 

Diagnosis



There are several tests to diagnose whether you have a gastric ulcer or not. Blood tests, stool tests, breath tests are usually performed. Your doctor might also look for tenderness, pain, or bloating in your stomach. In extreme cases, your doctor might also perform endoscopy or x-rays in order to understand the actual condition of your stomach. 

Treatment


There are several ways to treat gastric ulcer. First and foremost, your doctor will try to treat the cause of your gastric ulcer. If it is being caused by medicines, then you might need to change or stop taking the medicines altogether if possible. Otherwise, if your ulcer is being caused by bacteria then your doctor would probably try ‘test and treat approach’. 

In extreme cases, surgery might be the best option. If the ulcer continues to return even after continuous oral treatment, then you might need to visit a foregut clinic for surgery. This surgery can include any of the following options:
    • Removing the ulcer
    • Tying off blood vessels that are bleeding
    • Sewing tissue from another site onto the ulcer
    • The nerve that controls stomach acid production can be removed

If you think you have a gastric ulcer or you have already been diagnosed with it, it is best to visit a foregut clinic as soon as possible. There are several renowned foregut clinics in Kolkata for you to choose from. 

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