Some terms explained
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- Peptic inflammation is inflammation caused by stomach acid. Inflammation can occur in the stomach, the duodenum (as acid flows in with food), or the lower oesophagus (if some acid splashes back up to cause 'reflux oesophagitis').
- A peptic ulcer is an ulcer caused by stomach acid. An ulcer is where the lining of the gut is damaged and the underlying tissue is exposed. If you could see inside your gut, an ulcer looks like a small, red crater on the inside lining of the gut.
- A stomach ulcer is one type of peptic ulcer. (The most common type of peptic ulcer is a duodenal ulcer.) The rest of this leaflet deals only with stomach ulcers. Separate leaflets deal with duodenal ulcers, and acid reflux which causes oesophagitis.
What causes stomach ulcers?
Many people think that a stomach ulcer is caused by too much acid in the stomach. This is not true. Most people with a stomach ulcer make normal amounts of acid. The problem is the way the lining of the stomach copes with the acid. The stomach makes chemicals and mucus which covers the surface and protects the tissues from the acid. An ulcer occurs if the acid breaks through this protection. Causes of stomach ulcer include the following.
- Infection by H. pylori is the cause in about 7 in 10 cases. This bacterium (bug) affects the lining of the stomach in some way that allows the acid to cause inflammation and ulcers.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines which many people take for arthritis, muscular pains, etc. For example: aspirin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac - but there are others. These medicines sometimes affect the lining of the stomach and allow acid to cause an ulcer.
- Other causes are rare. For example, some virus infections can cause a stomach ulcer. Crohn's disease may cause a stomach ulcer in addition to other problems of the gut.
- Stomach cancer may at first look similar to an ulcer. Stomach cancer is uncommon, but may need to be 'ruled out' if you are found to have a stomach ulcer.
What are the symptoms of a stomach ulcer?
- Pain in the upper abdomen just below the sternum (breastbone) is the common symptom. It usually comes and goes. It may be eased if you take antacid medicines. Sometimes food makes the pain worse. The pain may wake you from sleep.
- Other symptoms which may occur include: bloating, retching, and feeling sick. You may feel particularly 'full' after a meal.
- Complications develop in some cases, and can be serious. These include:
- Bleeding from the ulcer. This can range from a 'trickle' to a life-threatening bleed.
- Perforation. This is where the ulcer goes right through ('perforates') the wall of the stomach. Food and acid in the stomach then leak into the abdominal cavity. This usually causes severe pain and is a medical emergency.
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jessica, about 1 year
i am concurned about my stomach pains there not like cramp there just pains. i get them near my belly button and it really hurts. what do you think will be causing them? and how do you cure it? i have been suffering from these for about a couple of weeks now and it is like they are there then they go and come back. i tried everything to make them go away some people say lie on your belly tried it but it didnt work so could you give me some edvice please on how to get rid of them and what to do when they do come. thankyou your sincerlly jessica
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