Stomach ulcers are very painful and can be found on the stomach lining or small intestine. These are the most visible sign of peptic ulcer disease.

They happen when the wide layer of mucus that saves your stomach from digestive juices decrease, enabling the digestive acids to eat away the tissue lining of the abdomen.

Stomach Ulcers are treatable but they can become severe if ignored or left untreated.

Causes Of Stomach Ulcer

Stomach ulcers are not necessarily caused by a single factor. The reduction in the stomach’s mucus lining that leads to an ulcer is generally caused by either of the following:

• Long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen
• An infection with the H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) bacterium
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, an uncommon disease that makes the body generate excess stomach acid
• Excess acid (hyperacidity) in the stomach that may be related to certain foods, genetics and lifestyle (smoking and stress)

Some of the factors and behaviors that can put you at higher risk for stomach ulcers:

• Family history of stomach ulcer
• Smoking
• Have other diseases like liver, lung or kidney disease
• Being over 50 years old
• Hypercalcemia (overproduction of calcium )
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Frequent use of steroids (like those people treating for asthma)

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

A number of symptoms are connected with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms totally depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The very general symptom is a pain or burning sensation in the area between your belly and chest. Generally, the pain will be more severe when your stomach is empty and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Other General Symptoms Include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dull pain in the stomach
• Bloating
• Not wanting to eat because of pain
• Weight loss
• Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest)
• Burping or acid reflux
• Pain increases when you drink, eat or take antacids

Since most of the people with ulcer have no symptoms at all. Some people with ulcers experience stomach pain. This pain occurs in the upper abdomen. Sometimes a certain meal makes the pain better and sometimes that food makes it worse. Other common symptoms are listed above, but it’s necessary to know that there are multiple causes of stomach pain, so all stomach pains are not considered as ‘Ulcers’.

The most vital warning signs that cause ulcers are associated to bleeding.

Bleeding from an ulcer can be very slow and go ignored or can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Ulcers that bleed slowly may not generate the symptoms until a person becomes anemic. Stomach Ulcer Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin color and shortness of breathing with exercise.

Bleeding that happens rapidly may show up as melena - plane black, very sticky stool (frequently compared to “roof tar”) – or even a huge amount of maroon or dark red blood in the stool. People with bleeding ulcers might also vomit. Vomit could appear to be like “coffee grounds” or can be red blooded. Other symptoms may include “passing out” or feeling dizzy.

Discuss with your doctor if you feel symptoms of stomach ulcers. Even though uneasiness may be placid, ulcers can get worse if they are not taken care of at the right time.

The symptoms of heavy bleeding need immediate medical emergency. If it happens, instant medical attention is required. A person with these stomach ulcer symptoms must dial 911 or go to the hospital at once without any delay.