1. Just When You Thought You had Relief
Bleeding ulcers occur when gastric ulcers in the stomach or duodenum go untreated. As the stomach acid continues to wash over and irritate the open sore, they begin to bleed. Many people with bleeding ulcers are surprised at the lack of stomach symptoms, and claim that they had stomach pain in the past which seemed to resolve itself. That is because the bleeding of an ulcer tends to block acid and reduce the pain at the sight of the sore. Never wait for recurrent stomach pain or heartburn to resolve itself on its own, as you run the risk for causing severe damage to the delicate tissue of your stomach.
2. Identifying a Bleeding Ulcer
Bleeding ulcers may cause stomach pain; however, more commonly the symptoms leave the stomach and enter other areas of the body. In addition to heartburn, or acid reflux, the most common symptom of any gastric ulcer, a bleeding ulcer may also cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, blood in the stools or even blood in vomit. Blood in the stools or vomit may be bright red, or may be dark brown, like coffee grounds.
3. Burning Leads to Bleeding
If you suffer from recurrent heartburn, it is time to see the doctor. Even if heartburn is your only symptom, you may have an ulcer, and if you have experienced heartburn for a long period of time, chances are the ulcer has begun to bleed. In order to properly diagnose a bleeding ulcer, your doctor will perform an endoscopy in which a small camera attached to a tube is inserted into the stomach. Most often your doctor will take a small biopsy of your stomach lining as well, to test of H. pylori, a common bacteria which can cause ulcers.
4. Putting the Fire Out
Once you have been officially diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer, treatment will include acid inhibitors to stop pain and antibiotics to kill ulcer causing bacteria. Treatment usually lasts 2 or 3 months; however, may be longer depending on the severity of your ulcer. In extreme cases where bleeding is uncontrollable, your doctor may cauterize the ulcer during the endoscope to quickly stop bleeding.
5. Preventing a Bleeding Ulcer
Knowing the common causes as well as preventative measures for ulcers can help to prevent ulcer formation as well as ensure that a normal gastric ulcer will not begin to bleed. Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs as much as possible as they irritate the stomach lining and can cause ulcers. Stress, alcohol and nicotine, while they don't cause ulcers, are stimulant which can aggravate the stomach and increase the risk of ulcer formation. Additionally, over-the-counter antacids which can be harmful should be replaced with natural antacids such as banana or noni fruit.
