Is bleeding from a gastric ulcer serious?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 09, 2025
00:00
00:00

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the common complications of peptic ulcers. If gastric ulcers cause vomiting blood, it often indicates that the bleeding is not minor and the condition is generally severe. It is usually considered that when about 250-300mL of blood accumulates in the stomach, vomiting blood may occur. Clinically, if vomiting blood occurs, it is firstly necessary to promptly hospitalize for treatment, including establishing venous access, nutritional support, and hemostatic treatment. Proton pump inhibitors or somatostatin analogs are commonly used. Additionally, if the bleeding does not stop, endoscopic treatment can be performed, such as spraying hemostatic drugs, electrocoagulation, or mechanical hemostasis. It is also necessary to monitor the patient's vital signs. If repeated bleeding occurs, a comprehensive treatment plan may be needed.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

Is a gastric ulcer in the pyloric region serious?

Whether gastric ulcers and duodenal bulb ulcers are severe depends on the size of the ulcers and whether there are complications. If there are complications such as perforation and bleeding, it can be very serious. Severe cases may require surgical intervention and could potentially endanger the patient's life. Patients with gastric and duodenal bulb ulcers are likely caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, though it cannot be ruled out that some may be caused by ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids. Treatment varies depending on the cause. For instance, if it is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, standardized eradication of Helicobacter pylori is necessary, along with comprehensive treatment to suppress gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
52sec home-news-image

Gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer

Gastric ulcers and duodenal bulb ulcers both belong to upper gastrointestinal ulcers. Their symptoms slightly differ; gastric ulcers typically manifest as postprandial pain in the upper abdomen, whereas duodenal bulb ulcers present as hunger pains in the upper abdomen, sometimes accompanied by nocturnal pain. Both types generally exhibit symptoms such as acid reflux and heartburn. The predominant cause for these is infection by Helicobacter pylori, detectable through tests such as the carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test. If an infection is present, antimicrobial treatment can typically lead to a complete recovery of the ulcers. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, the initial approach should still focus on symptomatic treatment. Additionally, adopting good dietary and living habits can facilitate regular gastroscopic follow-ups.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal?

Gastric ulcers are a very common disease in gastroenterology. For minor ulcers, adjustments in diet, quitting smoking and drinking, consuming more green vegetables, getting more rest, and reducing mental stress can gradually lead to recovery. More severe ulcers require active medication use. To achieve ulcer healing, the course of acid-reducing medication usually lasts four to six weeks. Commonly used medications include those that inhibit gastric acid secretion, such as HR receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, as well as some bismuth agents and weakly alkaline antacids to protect the stomach lining. Meanwhile, dietary management should be strengthened. Through effective medical treatment, the healing rate of gastric ulcers can reach over 95%. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

How to stop bleeding from a gastric ulcer?

Gastric ulcer bleeding is a relatively common complication. Treatment methods can be selected based on the endoscopic characteristics of the bleeding lesion. Active bleeding can be treated with acid-suppressing medications such as proton pump inhibitors, combined with endoscopic treatment, and if necessary, vascular interventional treatment or surgery. For those with blood clots, proton pump inhibitors can also be chosen, with endoscopic treatment if necessary. During endoscopy, fibrin glue can be sprayed on the surface of the ulcer, adrenaline can be injected at the bleeding site, and endoscopic hemostatic clip techniques can be used. During treatment, it’s important to adjust the diet. For those with significant bleeding, temporary parenteral nutrition should be chosen, and no food should be consumed to avoid further gastrointestinal irritation. (Please use medications 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.