Ulcers Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What are ulcers? How do they affect people? And what causes them? Find out here!
Ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or intestines that cause pain and discomfort. They're usually caused by stress, eating too much, or taking medications.
What Are Ulcers?
An ulcer is an open sore in the digestive tract. It's also called a gastric ulcer because it occurs in the stomach. Most ulcers occur in the lower part of the stomach near the pyloric valve (the opening between the stomach and small intestine).
How Do They Affect People?
Ulcers can cause pain and discomfort, especially when eating or drinking. They can also make it difficult to eat or drink enough fluids. If left untreated, ulcers can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, infection, or even death.
What Causes Them?
There are several different kinds of ulcers. A peptic ulcer occurs when acid from the stomach flows into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). This acid irritates the lining of the duodenum, causing inflammation and irritation.
Treating Ulcers
If you have an ulcer, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will examine you and take samples of blood and tissue from the affected area. You may need to undergo tests to determine whether there is infection present.