Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

In 2005 Drs. Barry Marshall and Robin Warren were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for finally proving their theory that H pylori infection causes stomach ulcers (also known as peptic ulcers).

Since that time, it has been shown that H pylori infections are responsible for approximately 80% stomach ulcers and 95% duodenal ulcers, which are ulcers of the upper small intestine.

It is estimated that approximately 10-15% of people infected with H pylori develop ulcers. Given that H pylori infects around half the world’s population, we can safely say that the infection causes a lot of ulcers!

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

Stomach ulcer symptoms are similar to H pylori symptoms. H pylori infection causes gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis may cause very similar symptoms to ulcers. In fact, in some people it’s very difficult to distinguish whether stomach ulcers are present.

Some of the typical stomach ulcer symptoms are:

• Burning pain in the centre of your abdomen.
• The pain may also be felt higher, or lower in the torso.
• The pain can last for a few minutes to a few hours.
• Indigestion – belching and bloating
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Lump in your throat.
• Difficulty tolerating fatty foods

It is important to know whether ulcers are present. Stomach ulcers can become serious medical problems if they are not properly dealt with. In some people, stomach ulcers can perforate and bleed, which may result in a life-threatening situation.

Symptoms of Perforated, or Bleeding Ulcers

If ulcers become serious and begin bleeding, you should seek medical attention immediately, irrespective of whether or not you have an H pylori infection. The following symptoms may be experienced with a bleeding ulcer:

• Vomiting bright red blood.
• Vomit with a dark brown, grainy appearance that is similar to coffee grounds.
• Passing black, tar-like stools.
• A sudden, sharp pain in your stomach that gets steadily worse and does not improve.

Stomach ulcers may not cause typical symptoms. Occasionally they do not cause any pain at all. Thus, bleeding can develop without any obvious symptoms being experienced first.

A bleeding ulcer is a medical emergency – you should contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms that indicate a perforated ulcer. My team and I cannot offer advice in these situations.

Stomach Ulcer Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe an acid-blocking medication such as omeprazole, pantoprazole and other proton pump inhibitors (PPI). These meds will block acid production, enabling stomach tissue to heal.

However, if the ulcer is being caused by an H pylori infection, the H pylori will need to be eradicated in order to allow stomach or intestinal healing.

H pylori can be eradicated using triple therapy, which involves a 7-14-day course of two antibiotics and an acid-blocker. Many doctors recommend that the antacid is taken for a further period of time following treatment to allow the stomach tissue to heal.

Treatment success is around 70% in many areas and is falling due to the development of bacterial resistance to the medications.

I personally eradicated H pylori twice using a completely natural approach. Over the last half-decade I have successfully helped thousands of people achieve excellent results using a natural program too.
If you’d like to use a natural program, or if triple therapy has not worked for you, please check out these resources:

• The H Pylori Diet paperback book – teaches you how to adjust your diet to soothe digestive pain, optimize nutrient intake and includes foods that have been shown to act against H pylori. Also includes a detailed clinically-proven supplement protocol to help you remove H pylori without unpleasant side-effects.
• The H Pylori Diet PDF e-book – the same as above but in an instantly downloadable form.
• Book a one-to-one consultation with me or one of my Hompes Method team so we can help you in a private, personalized manner.