Gastric Ulcers Care

Signature Health Services can help with the management and treatment of gastric ulcers.

Gastric ulcers and how we care for it

What is a gastric ulcer?

A gastric ulcer is a painful sore in the stomach lining. Any ulcer affecting the stomach or the small intestines is known as a peptic ulcer. Consequently, gastric ulcers are a particular type of peptic ulcer disease.

What causes gastric ulcers?

A gastric ulcer appears when there is a reduction in the protective layer of mucus in the stomach from digestive juices. This reduction provokes the digestive acids to eat away the tissues that cover the stomach, causing the ulcer. Although a common myth is that gastric ulcers result from stress or poor diet, most gastric ulcers are caused by anti-inflammatory medication or infection from the helicobacter pylori bacteria.

How do you know if you have gastric ulcers?

Most gastric ulcers don’t present symptoms until the condition escalates to a severe stage. When that happens, some of them are:

Anemia
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Indigestion
Nausea and vomit
Weight loss
Vomit
Weight loss
Blood presence in vomit or stools

Physicians can diagnose a gastric ulcer by clinical examination, but they can utilize other methods, such as endoscopy, biopsy, breath tests, or x-ray with some contrast method.
Once a gastric ulcer breaks, the blood loss could become a severe medical emergency.

How are gastric ulcers treated?

Today, special diets barely impact the prevention or treatment of gastric ulcers.
Instead, treatment options include new medication, subsequent breath tests, changes or reductions to existing medicines, and lifestyle modifications.
Surgery may be necessary when non-surgical therapies do not cease the pain and the bleeding.

Can gastric ulcers be prevented?

To prevent the spread of bacteria that can cause a stomach ulcer, please wash your hands with water and soap regularly. Also, make sure you properly clean all your food and cook it thoroughly as needed.
Stop using anti-inflammatory medications to prevent ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory drugs or limit their use. If meds are needed, ensure to follow the doctor’s recommendation and avoid alcohol while being in this kind of treatment.

How can Signature help patients with gastric ulcers?

Our skilled nurses provide proper care to patients suffering or recovering from gastric ulcers, whether they have surgery or not.

For more information on how Signature Health Services can help with your healthcare needs, please call 1 (800) 277-8291 (option 1) or email information@signaturehealthservices.net.