Peptic ulcers are open sores that form on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper small intestine, and they are known by the medical term "ulcers." Here’s how to spot an ulcer and when to call our GP doctor in Sotogrande.
Symptoms of an ulcer
Stomach pain is the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer.
Peptic ulcers consist of:
- gastrointestinal ulcers that develop internally
- Ulcers of the duodenum are sores that develop on the lining of the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum).
Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common causes of peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers can also be caused by other bacterial infections. Peptic ulcers are not caused by stress or by eating foods with a spicy flavour. However, they have the potential to aggravate your existing symptoms.
Burning pain in the abdomen is one of the most typical signs of peptic ulcers. The discomfort is exacerbated by stomach acid, as well as by an absence of food in the stomach. Eating certain foods that act as a buffer against stomach acid or taking a medication that reduces acid production can frequently provide relief from the pain; however, the discomfort may eventually return. It's possible that the pain will be worse in the middle of the night and between meals.
The majority of people who have peptic ulcers never even experience any symptoms.
Ulcers cause severe signs and symptoms much less frequently, but they can include the following:
- Expelling of stomach contents or blood, which may or may not be coloured red or black
- stools that are black or tarry, or bloody stools that are dark in colour
- Difficulty in breathing
- Having a feeling of faintness
- Nausea or vomiting.
- A loss of weight for no apparent reason
- Alterations in appetite
When to call our GP doctor for an ulcer in Sotogrande
Call our GP doctor for an ulcer in Sotogrande if you have the severe signs or symptoms listed above. In addition, make an appointment with our primary care physician if the pain is relieved by over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers, but it reappears again later.