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Signs That You Might Have a Stomach Ulcer

Patients with stomach ulcers in West Palm Beach, FL, choose The Palm Beach Clinic for personalized care and treatment. There are several symptoms that can indicate the presence of a stomach ulcer. If you have any of these symptoms, consider coming in for a diagnosis.

Intense Abdominal Pain

The most common sign of a stomach ulcer is intense and persistent pain in the abdomen. This burning pain can feel like a soreness or a gnawing. It occurs when chemical substances like stomach acids and enzymes irritate the ulcer.

Ulcer pain can become worse early in the morning, overnight, or between meals, especially when meals are skipped. Many people feel this pain after drinking alcohol, orange juice, or coffee.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid enters the esophagus. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter either opens too often or has trouble closing after eating. Acid reflux can cause severe heartburn, which can feel similar to ulcer pain. Heartburn is typically felt higher in the chest. Both conditions can also occur simultaneously.

Dark Stools

Stools that are darker or black are a potential indicator of a stomach ulcer. This is because these stools contain traces of blood from the ulcer.

Vomiting

If you are throwing up, it may be due to a stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcers create an inflammatory response inside the stomach, and this response prompts contractions that can result in vomiting.

Bloating

Bloating is a symptom of a stomach ulcer that has formed due to the excessive presence of H. pylori bacteria. When these ulcers result in scarring, the amount of gas in the intestines can increase, causing bloating, pain, and belching.

Feelings of Nausea

If you have a stomach ulcer, you may frequently feel nauseous. This is a symptom that occurs early in the morning and is usually accompanied by vomiting, at which point it temporarily ameliorates.

Anemia

Anemia can be a sign of a stomach ulcer. When an ulcer hemorrhages, it loses a lot of blood, which can result in anemia. Anemic patients do not have enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to all the tissues of the body effectively. Anemia is characterized by dizziness, paleness, weakness, and fatigue.

Weight Loss

In certain cases, weight loss can be the result of a stomach ulcer. The scar tissues caused by an ulcer can create swelling in the small intestine and cause a blockage in the stomach’s food passageway. This makes it so food has trouble traveling from the stomach to the small intestine for digestion.

As a result, ulcer sufferers sometimes feel full on an empty stomach, or they feel full sooner when eating. These appetite issues can make ulcer patients eat less, causing weight loss.

Learn More Today

Dr. Chauncey Crandall can diagnose your stomach ulcer in West Palm Beach, FL, at The Palm Beach Clinic. Dr. Crandall utilizes a comprehensive concierge medicine approach to treat ulcers. Find out more— contact us today for your consultation.

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