11. Peptic Ulcers – A Burning Issue in Your Stomach
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus. They cause a burning sensation or pain in the middle or upper stomach, which can sometimes be felt as chest pain.
Peptic ulcers can cause a dull or burning pain in the middle or upper part of your stomach. The pain can extend up into your chest and can sometimes be mistaken for heart-related chest pain. It’s typically felt when the stomach is empty, between meals and during the night, and can last from a few minutes to several hours.
The pain can often be temporarily relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking acid-reducing medications. However, peptic ulcer pain returns as the effects of these medications wear off. Aside from pain, peptic ulcers can cause other symptoms like bloating, heartburn, nausea, and, in severe cases, vomiting blood or having black, tarry stools.
Peptic ulcers occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed. Common causes include long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen, and infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori.
If left untreated, peptic ulcers can lead to internal bleeding, infection, and scar tissue that can obstruct passage of food through the digestive tract. Therefore, if you’re experiencing symptoms of peptic ulcers, it’s essential to seek medical help. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to clear the H. pylori infection and acid-suppressing medications. (11)
