Gastric ulcers are ulcers that can occur in the duodenum, stomach or esophagus. It can cause a gnawing pain in the middle or upper abdomen after a meal or can arise spontaneously at night. Causes for the development of a stomach ulcer include the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

What is a stomach ulcer?

Stomach ulcers are crater-shaped erosions in the stomach or duodenum and sometimes the esophagus. At least 80 percent of ulcers are caused by infection with the pylori bacteria. Once an ulcer has developed, secondary factors such as alcohol consumption, caffeine, fast food, smoking and stress can make matters worse. Sometimes only the stomach lining is affected, but the ulcer can also spread through all layers of the stomach wall. The stomach ulcer occurs in places where the wall of the digestive tract comes into contact with gastric juice due to the action of hydrochloric acid and the digestive enzyme from the gastric juice. If only the surface layer is affected, it is called erosion. The pain is caused by damage to the mucous membrane.The main complaint is pain, a gnawing contraction-like pain that can radiate from the abdominal area to the back and chest. The pain is mainly experienced in the evening. Other symptoms include bloating in the stomach area, acid reflux, nausea. The complaints can last for weeks to months and can even worsen, alternating with complaint-free periods.

What can you do about stomach ulcers?

The doctor will use an endoscope to determine if you suffer from stomach ulcers or if these symptoms are related to other conditions. Acid suppressants that reduce the amount of acid that acts on the stomach often give the ulcer a chance to heal. However, the doctor in question will often prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent future stomach ulcers.In some cases, surgical intervention is unavoidable, for example when complications occur such as severe bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus or persistent pain that does not go away with antibiotic treatment.

Preventing stomach ulcer

Killing the bacteria reduces the recurrence of getting an ulcer again and again. The main ways to prevent stomach ulcers is to eat and live healthily. Drink coffee and alcohol in moderation. Eat small meals several times a day. Greasy and spicy foods are also foods to limit. One of the biggest causes is often cigarette smoking. Anyone who smokes is always advised to quit smoking.

Milk and stomach ulcers

Some people drink milk when they suffer from stomach ulcers to relieve the pain. It is best not to do this, milk actually worsens the stomach ulcer. When you drink milk, a wall is temporarily created around the stomach that will relieve the pain for a while. However, this milk also stimulates the stomach to produce more stomach acids and digestive juices. This threatens to end up in a vicious circle.