Have you been blaming your stomach discomfort on “just bloating” or “something I ate”?
That sharp sting after skipping a meal, the burning sensation after your morning chai, or that weird bloated feeling that hits right before bedtime — they are not as harmless as you think. If your upper stomach hurts, especially when you are hungry, you could be dealing with a gastric ulcer.
Let’s break it down together: what causes it, how to spot the signs early, and most importantly, what you can do to treat it.
What Is a Gastric Ulcer?
In simple terms, a gastric ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer, which is an open sore that forms on the lining of your stomach. Your stomach is normally protected by a thick mucus layer, but when that layer thins or breaks down, the strong acid inside your stomach can start to eat away at its lining. Painful, right?
These ulcers don’t just appear out of nowhere. There is usually an underlying cause that disrupts the stomach’s natural protective barrier.
What Causes Gastric Ulcers?
It is not just spicy food or stress. Although they play a major role, most gastric ulcers are triggered by one of two main reasons:
H. pylori infection
This bacteria eats your stomach’s protective lining, weakens it and leaves it vulnerable to acid damage. Studies show it is responsible for up to 80–90% of ulcer cases.
Long-term use of NSAIDs
Regular use of painkillers in high doses like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen can slowly irritate the stomach and wear down your stomach lining, especially when taken regularly and without food.
Other less common causes include:
- Excess acid production (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Crohn’s disease
- Some cancer treatments (chemo or radiation)
- Viral infections or stomach malignancies
Ever gulped a painkiller on an empty stomach? That is a red flag moment right there.
How Do Gastric Ulcers Feel?
Gastric ulcers have a way of disguising themselves as “regular acidity.” But there are some clear warning signs to keep an eye on:
- A burning or a dull, constant pain in the middle of your tummy, usually worse when your stomach is empty
- Indigestion or discomfort after meals
- Feeling full even after eating just a little
- Nausea, burping, bloating
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
In severe cases, ulcers can lead to:
- Vomiting blood (may resemble coffee grounds)
- Black, tarry stools
- Sudden, sharp stomach pain
These are the signs of internal bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care in the best gastroenterologist clinic in Mukundapur.
How Are Gastric Ulcers Treated?
The treatment depends on the cause, but the goal is to heal the sore and prevent it from coming back. Depending on the cause, your doctor may recommend:
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These reduce the stomach’s acid levels to give the ulcer time to heal.
- Antibiotics: If H. pylori is the root cause, it needs to be removed from the body.
- Protective medications: Some drugs layer the stomach lining for extra protection.
- Medication review: If NSAIDs are causing damage, your doctor may advise safer alternatives.
- Lifestyle changes: This includes reducing alcohol consumption, avoiding spicy and acidic foods, quitting smoking, avoiding long-term use of painkillers, and managing stress more effectively.
In rare cases, especially when ulcers cause bleeding or perforation (a small hole or row of small holes in the stomach lining), your doctor may necessitate surgery.
Tip: Eating smaller meals more frequently can ease pressure on your stomach and aid healing.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
Ignoring a gastric ulcer can be dangerous. Untreated ulcers may lead to:
- Bleeding ulcers, which can cause anaemia or severe blood loss
- Perforation, where the ulcer burns through the stomach wall
- Gastric outlet obstruction, a blockage that makes it hard for food to pass
These are not situations to wait and watch. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications.
Conclusion
If you have been silently suffering or ignoring recurring symptoms, it is time to take them seriously. Ulcers don’t go away on their own, and no, antacids are not a long-term fix.
Getting the proper care starts with finding the right specialist. If you are in South Kolkata and seeking specialist guidance, Long Life Super Speciality Clinic, the best gastroenterologist clinic in Mukundapur, can help you understand what is going on inside and develop a personalised treatment plan that brings real relief.