Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are painful lesions on the lining of the stomach. Peptic ulcer disease includes stomach ulcers. Any ulcer that affects both the stomach and the small intestine is known as a peptic ulcer.
When the thick coating of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive fluids is weakened, stomach ulcers develop. This permits the digestive acids to eat away at the stomach’s lining tissues, resulting in an ulcer.
Although stomach ulcers are easily treatable, they can develop severe if not treated properly. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare illness that causes stomach and intestine ulcers by boosting the body’s acid production. This syndrome is thought to be responsible for less than 1% of all peptic ulcers. Stomach ulcers are associated with a range of symptoms. The severity of the symptoms is determined by the ulcer’s severity.
A burning sensation or discomfort in the centre of your abdomen, between your chest and belly button, is the most prevalent symptom. When your stomach is empty, the discomfort is usually more strong, and it can last anywhere from a few minutes to many hours. Your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer will determine your diagnosis and treatment options. Your doctor will examine your medical history, symptoms, and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking to determine if you have a stomach ulcer.
