Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

In 2005 Drs. Barry Marshall and Robin Warren received the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine when they proved that Helicobacter pylori bacteria cause peptic ulcers.

Since then, it has been shown that H pylori infections are responsible for approximately 80% peptic ulcers and 95% duodenal ulcers (ulcers of the small intestine, also known as the duodenum).

Around 10-15% of H pylori infected people are thought to develop peptic ulcers. Given that H pylori infects roughly half the world’s population, it’s clear that peptic ulcers are very common!

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

Peptic ulcer symptoms are similar to H pylori symptoms. H pylori infections cause inflammation of the stomach lining, which is known as gastritis.

Gastritis may cause very similar symptoms to ulcers due to the fact that both conditions involve irritation of the stomach lining.

In fact, in some people it’s hard to tell whether stomach ulcers are present or not.

Some typical peptic ulcer symptoms are:

• Burning pain in the centre of your abdomen.
  • …can be felt higher, or lower in the abdomen
  • …may last for a few minutes to several hours at a time
  • …may be reduced by drinking milk
• Indigestion symptoms such as belching and bloating
• Lump in the throat
• Difficulty tolerating fatty foods
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss (sometimes quite rapid)
• Being sick

It is important to know whether peptic ulcers have developed. Peptic ulcers can become serious medical problems if they are not properly dealt with.

In some people, they can perforate and bleed, which may result in a life-threatening situation.

Symptoms of Perforated, or Bleeding Peptic Ulcers

If peptic ulcers bleed, you should seek immediate medical attention irrespective of whether or not you are infected with H pylori.

Bleeding ulcers can cause the following symptoms:

• Vomit containing bright red blood.
• Vomit containing dark brown, grainy bits, similar to coffee grounds.
• Black, tarry stools.
• Sudden, sharp pains in the gut that get steadily worse and do not improve.

Peptic ulcers may not cause typical ulcer symptoms. In fact, they may not cause any pain or symptoms at all (this is known as asymptomatic). Bleeding can therefore develop without any obvious symptoms.

Please note: a bleeding ulcer is a medical emergency – you should contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms that point to the possibility of a perforated ulcer.

Peptic Ulcer Treatment

Acid-blocking medications such as omeprazole, pantoprazole and other proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are often prescribed. These drugs have the effect of blocking stomach acid production, which enables stomach tissue to heal.

If a peptic ulcer is being caused by an H pylori infestation, the H pylori bacteria will need to be eradicated. H pylori infections are usually eradicated with triple therapy, which is a 7-14-day course of two antibiotics (usually Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin) and an acid-blocking medication.

Many doctors recommend continuing the antacid drug for an additional period of time following H pylori treatment to allow the stomach tissue to heal properly.

H pylori triple therapy treatment success is currently around 70%. Success rates are falling because H pylori strains are becoming more and more resistant to the antibiotics.

Avoidance of certain foods may be needed in order to heal peptic ulcers. Smoked and processed food, processed meats, coffee, alcoholic beverages, vinegar, orange juice, lemon/lime and other potentially irritating foods often cause aggravation of peptic ulcers. Smoking is also a major risk factor for peptic ulcers.

How I Beat H Pylori & Healed My Damaged Digestive Stystem

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.