What Happens When Stomach Ulcers Bleed: Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer that occurs in the lining of the stomach. The stomach is one of the most important organs in the body, and it is responsible for breaking down food. When a person eats, they chew their food and swallow it. The food then moves down into the stomach, where it gets mix up with gastric juices that break down proteins and carbohydrates into smaller molecules. These smaller molecules can then be absorbed by cells in other parts of the body.
The lower part of the stomach has a thick layer called mucus which protects it from being damaged by acid. If this layer is damaged or worn away, acid can cause an ulcer to form on top of it. HCl (hydrochloric acid) is one kind of acid that can cause an ulcer, and another type of acid, called PH (phosphoric acid), can also cause an ulcer because it weakens the mucus layer.
It is important that people approach the doctor to get the treatment as soon as possible. Well, if you are experiencing this gastric condition, reach out Dr. Shankar Dhaka. He is one of the best gastroenterologists in Jaipur you can approach.
However, do know bleeding ulcer needs to take care otherwise, it can lead to major complications.
Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer that Bleeds:
An ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum. A person with an ulcer will have pain in their stomach, vomiting and blood in their vomit. The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer that bleeds is blood in the vomit.
Along with that some other symptoms are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal bloating and gas.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Heartburn and indigestion.
How to Treat Bleeding Stomach Ulcers?
The first step in treating a bleeding stomach ulcer is to rule out the possibility of an ulcer. This can be done by taking an upper endoscopy, which is a camera that goes through the mouth and into the esophagus and stomach.
If you are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your doctor will prescribe medications that reduce acid production in your stomach. The medications are antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or histamine-2 receptor antagonists.
What Happens When Stomach Ulcers Bleed:
In this section, we will discuss the common conditions that may take place when a stomach ulcer bleeds:
1. Anemia:
Anemia is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. There are many causes of anemia, but one of the most common is bleeding from a stomach ulcer. There are two types of anemia: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and Non-Iron Deficiency Anemia (NID). IDA is the most common type of anemia because it may happen by a lack of iron in the diet. NID can be caused by other things like a chronic disease.
2. Death:
Death is the final stage of life. It is the permanent cessation of all vital functions, including breathing and heartbeat. Death can be caused by many things, such as old age, an injury, or a disease.
When someone dies from a stomach ulcer bleeding, they are bleeding internally and have lost too much blood to survive. The stomach ulcer is often caused by chronic inflammation of the stomach lining that has not responded to treatment with acid-reducing medicines such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
3. Fatigue:
Fatigue is an overwhelming feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, or lack of energy. It can happen due to illness, physical or emotional stress, lack of sleep, or poor nutrition. A condition called fatigue happens when the stomach has been bleeding for a long time. The body is unable to produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, and this leads to fatigue.
4. Shortness of breath:
Shortness of breath can be caused by various conditions, and one such condition is stomach ulcer bleeding. The stomach ulcer may have been present for a while, but it becomes fatal when it starts bleeding internally or externally. This bleeding causes the loss of blood supply to the lungs and makes breathing difficult.
5. Pale skin:
Pale skin is a condition that occurs after stomach ulcer bleeding. It is “hypochromic anemia”. The term “pale skin” refers to the appearance of the skin, which has a pallid and unhealthful look. One of the most common causes of this condition is chronic blood loss, which can happen due to various factors such as gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney disease.
6. Heart palpitations:
Heart palpitations are a condition that occurs after stomach ulcer bleeding. This is a condition that happens due to a number of different factors. One of the most common causes is when stomach ulcer bleeding causes blood to flow into the esophagus, which is then carried to the heart. Other causes include alcohol withdrawal, thyroid disorders, and certain medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
This was all about the conditions that can take place during and after stomach ulcer bleeds. It is important for people to reach out to the doctor time to get the treatment. If they are ignoring it, there is a possibility some other problems may also take place!
FAQ: What Happens When Stomach Ulcers Bleed
Q. 1 What are the symptoms of stomach ulcers?
Ans: The symptoms are often the same for both gastric and duodenal ulcers. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Pain in the upper abdomen, especially after eating or during digestion.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal bloating and gas.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Heartburn and indigestion.
Q. 2 What are the causes of stomach ulcers?
Ans: Stomach ulcers may take place due to different factors such as smoking, stress, and alcohol abuse.
Q. 3 What are the treatments for stomach ulcers?
Ans: The treatment for stomach ulcers depends on the cause of the ulcer.
- If the ulcer happens due to stress, doctors may prescribe a proton-pump inhibitor to reduce stomach acid production.
- If the ulcer happens due to bacteria, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
- But, if the ulcer happens due to a medication that causes too much stomach acid, they may recommend a different medication to decrease it.
Q. 4 How can I prevent stomach ulcers?
Ans: To prevent stomach ulcers, one needs to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Also, you need to reduce your stress levels.
Q. 5 What are the first signs of stomach ulcers?
Ans: The first sign of stomach ulcers is when you experience pain in the abdomen. It is usually a burning sensation in the upper, middle, or lower part of the stomach. Pain may also be there in the back and around the navel.
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