Gastric ulcers

What causes stomach ulcers? Stomach ulcers are almost always caused by one of the following: an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen Rarely, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers by increasing the body’s production of acid. This syndrome is suspected to cause less than 1 percent of all peptic ulcers. Symptoms of stomach ulcers A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer. The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours. Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include: dull pain in the stomach weight loss not wanting to eat because of pain nausea or vomiting bloating feeling easily full burping or acid reflux heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest) pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin dark, tarry stools vomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they aren’t treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.