What causes bleeding from gastric ulcers?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

Gastric ulcers can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, and if the ulcer further affects the blood vessels, it can lead to rupture of the vessels and cause bleeding. Therefore, gastric ulcers should be treated actively. If the amount of bleeding is substantial, it is advisable to opt for endoscopic hemostasis or use hemostatic medications, while also treating the ulcer fundamentally. If the ulcer is large, a major part of the stomach may be removed surgically. Post-operative care is crucial, including maintaining a balanced diet; the diet should consist mainly of soft, easily digestible foods, with an emphasis on consuming more vegetables and fruits, and avoiding spicy and cold foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Does gastric ulcer cause vomiting?

Gastric ulcers are a common disease in gastroenterology, especially prevalent among outpatient clients. The symptoms of gastric ulcers vary widely, and some patients may not show any symptoms, only presenting with a decrease in appetite, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. Common symptoms of gastric ulcers include nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and even a decrease in appetite. The abdominal pain is typically felt in the upper abdomen, can worsen after eating, and may resolve on its own without fever. However, if a gastric ulcer is accompanied by bloody stools, especially black stools or even vomiting blood, it is recommended that the patient seek further treatment at a local hospital. Therefore, for patients with gastric ulcers who experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, it is suggested to provide protective gastric treatment, typically lasting four to eight weeks.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
43sec home-news-image

Does gastric ulcer require hospitalization?

Whether a stomach ulcer requires hospitalization depends on the condition. For minor ulcers, if the pain is mild and there are no significant symptoms of vomiting or nausea, treatment can be managed with medication, such as drugs that inhibit stomach acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. It is also important to regulate diet, eat soft foods, avoid cold, spicy foods, and alcohol, as symptoms can gradually ease. If the ulcer is larger and exhibits perforation or bleeding, hospital treatment is necessary, usually involving a significant portion of the stomach being surgically removed to completely cure the ulcer. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

How to treat bleeding from gastric ulcers?

If it is a mild gastric ulcer bleeding, it may only manifest as black stool without any obvious specific discomfort symptoms and stable vital signs. This condition can be managed by controlling the diet and appropriately taking or intravenously using proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc., which often can be curative. If the bleeding is considerable, presenting symptoms like vomiting coffee-colored or dark red liquid, fainting, profuse sweating, blood pressure drop, etc., this condition requires timely hospital treatment. Medication primarily includes proton pump inhibitors combined with hemostatic drugs, nutritional support, prevention of complications, etc. If the medical treatment is ineffective, endoscopic hemostasis might be needed, and further more, surgical intervention may be considered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

Can you smoke with a stomach ulcer?

Patients with gastric ulcers should not smoke, as the tar and nicotine in tobacco can damage the gastric mucosa and worsen ulcer symptoms. Patients should pay attention to proper rest, reduce mental stress, avoid excessive tension and irritability, develop regular living habits, eat meals at fixed times and in fixed amounts, eat more vegetables and fruits, eat less spicy and greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. It's also important to consume less strong tea and coffee. Actively use medications for treatment, commonly including drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. If there is Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of gastric ulcers?

The symptoms of gastric ulcers mainly include upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, early satiety, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of the upper abdominal pain is that it worsens after eating and decreases or disappears when hungry or on an empty stomach, indicating a regular pattern of pain. For patients exhibiting these symptoms, it is advised to undergo a gastroscopy to confirm the diagnosis. If the gastroscopy reveals ulcers on the gastric mucosa, the diagnosis of gastric ulcers can be confirmed. It is also recommended to conduct a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori. It has been confirmed that Helicobacter pylori can cause peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis among other diseases. If the infection test is positive, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is needed.