Stomach Ulcers

By Dr. Luke

The digestive tract extends from the mouth to the rectum. Among the upper portion of the digestive tract, two main problems can occur – 1. Peptic ulcer and - 2. Acid indigestion. Peptic ulcers are lesions in the lining of the upper portion of the gastro intestinal tract (commonly called the upper GI tract). Sores or lesions, called gastric ulcers, can occur in the stomach or near the top of the small intestines (duodenum) where they are called duodenal ulcers. Pain is usually expressed in the abdomen, between the chest bone and the navel.

The symptoms of duodenal ulcers are improved temporarily by eating solid foods, since the acids are neutralized, while gastric ulcer symptoms are persistent and the symptoms are worse with food consumption. Stomach ulcers can also be the reason for loss of appetite and weight loss, vomiting (sometimes with blood in it), nausea, fatigue and a black stool. Black stools mean bleeding in the stomach. Since the red colour of hemoglobin is oxidized by the time it reaches the bowels, it turns dark in colour instead of red. If the colour is red, you suspect the bleeding is much lower in the digestive tract (e.g. – the rupture of polyps, hemorrhoids or cancerous conditions in the lower bowels.)

Peptic ulcers are generally caused by one of two things: 1. Bacteria in the stomach called helico pylori bacteria, or - 2. The indiscriminate use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, Aspirin, Tylenol, Naproxen etc., which may be taken by the patient for minor aches and pains as well as for the circulation as a blood thinner.

According to the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, “20-40 percent of stomach problems develop into an ulcer”. According to Dr. Sigmund Krajden M.D. of Toronto, ‘There is a close relationship between the incidence of helico pylori bacteria and age”. The older the patient, the greater the risk. Consult your family physician before taking over the counter drugs.

Untreated ulcers can lead to internal bleeding (in the stomach, anemia, fatigue, intestinal perforation, scar tissue and even obstruction or cancer. See your family doctor immediately for further examination such as ultrasound, gastro scopy, CT scan etc.

Heartburn, which is commonly known for gastro esophageal reflux symptoms, is another prevalent condition among the older people. This happens due to impaired anti reflux mechanism.  Heartburn can create a burning feeling in the chest, throat and neck, which sometimes mimics heart attack signs. Symptoms often occur after a meal and can last for a couple of hours or more after eating.

Reflux is caused by the regurgitation of stomach acid into the lower esophagus, where it can irritate, burn, and inflame the lining of the esophagus. Smoking, alcohol, chocolate, and fried and fatty foods and can all bring on the symptoms, while citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers can aggravate the reflux symptoms.

Research has shown that chronic regular heartburn (two or three times a week) that persists for several weeks can result in complications such as Barrett’s esophagus, or esophageal cancer. This of course, like any other chronic condition, takes years of stomach acids rising up the esophagus. A study in the International Journal of Cancer showed that heavy drinkers and heavy smokers were 107 times more likely to develop cancer than non-smokers and non-drinkers.

Interestingly enough, the symptoms of too much digestive acids are virtually identical to having too little digestive acids in the stomach, which is often the case in persons under the age of fifty. Sometimes rebalancing these acids is enough to end the acid reflux. Therefore get the right diagnosis. One of the most accurate diagnosis procedures that I know of is called endoscopy or gastroscopy. This test can identify any inflammation, scar tissue or cancerous growth. It can also retrieve a small sample of tissue biopsy for further examination. Consult your doctor if you have the above symptoms. Apart from taking prescribed treatment, avoid the symptoms by eating smaller portions, being careful in the mixtures of foods (carbohydrates alone, or proteins and fats alone) and drinking raw cabbage juice. This is found to heal the ulcers and fight the free radials. Some researchers recommend tea, garlic, fish, olive oil and sunflower seed to decrease the bacteria growth.

(The views of Dr. Luke are not meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness and are solely his views and not necessarily those of this newspaper or any other entity. Consult your family health provider for any health or medical issues)