Download Stomach Problems: Ulcers and GERD

Stomach Problems: Ulcers and GERD
Ulcer symptoms include an aching, gnawing
pain between your belly button and your
breastbone. The pain usually goes away for a
while after you take an antacid or acid reducer.
You may also lose your appetite and have
nausea and vomiting.
Some peptic ulcers do not cause any pain but
still cause problems such as bleeding or a
blockage.
If peptic ulcers get worse, they may bleed into
your digestive tract or eat through the wall of
your stomach. This can cause anemia, severe
pain, black stools, or infection.
Acid-related stomach disorders are caused by
stomach acid. The most common problems are
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and
peptic ulcers.
GERD is the backward flow of stomach acid
into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube
that leads from your throat to your stomach.
Normally, a valve prevents the stomach acid
from moving up into this tube. When you have
GERD, this valve does not close right. GERD
is also called acid reflux.
Peptic ulcers are sores in your stomach or at the
start of your small intestine. They are usually
caused by a bacteria called H. pylori or by use
of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin,
ibuprofen, or naproxen.
Tests for acid-related disorders
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy lets the
doctor look in your stomach to see whether you
have ulcers. It also allows the doctor to get a
tissue sample that can be tested for bacteria or
other problems, such as cancer.
Manometry testing tells how well your
esophagus moves food into your stomach. A test
that measures pH levels tells how often stomach
acid is getting into your esophagus and how long
it stays there.
A blood test, urea breath test, stool test, or
biopsy of the stomach lining are all tests that
can identify H. pylori bacteria.
If you have frequent, severe episodes of
heartburn, your doctor may prescribe medicines
for reflux without doing any tests.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of GERD is
frequent heartburn. If you have GERD, you may
also have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth.
If GERD gets worse, it can damage your
esophagus, cause breathing problems, and speed
up tooth decay.
Treatment
Treatment usually means taking medicine that
reduces how much acid your stomach makes.
This includes antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta,
or Tums. It also includes acid reducers such as
Pepcid, Prilosec, or Zantac.
Many of these medicines also are available in
generic versions. The generic medicine works
just as well as the brand name product. And
generic medicines are often less expensive. If
you need help choosing a generic version of a
certain medicine, ask your pharmacist.
◦ After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you
lie down. Late-night snacks aren't a good
idea.
If you have a peptic ulcer that is caused by
bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics
too.
◦ Spicy foods, foods that have a lot of acid
(like tomatoes and oranges), and coffee
can make GERD symptoms worse in some
people. If your symptoms are worse after
you eat a certain food, you may want to
stop eating that food to see if your
symptoms get better.
Surgery may be an option for GERD when:
• Treatment with medicines does not
completely relieve your symptoms, and the
remaining symptoms are caused by reflux of
stomach juices.
• You do not want to, or because of side effects
you cannot, take medicines for a long time
to control your GERD symptoms, and you
are willing to accept the risks of surgery.
• Along with reflux you have symptoms, such
as asthma, hoarseness, or a cough, that do
not improve when treated with medicines.
◦ Chocolate, mint, and alcohol can make
GERD worse. They relax the valve
between the esophagus and the stomach.
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
• If you get GERD symptoms at night, raise
the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting
the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge
under the head of your mattress. (Adding
extra pillows does not work.)
• Do not wear tight clothing around your
middle.
• Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to
10 pounds can help.
Home care
There are a number of things you can do at home
to help yourself feel better.
• Change your eating habits.
◦ It's best to eat several small meals instead
of two or three large meals.
Do you have any questions or concerns after
reading this information? It's a good idea to
write them down and take them to your next
doctor visit.
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of this information, which does not replace medical advice. 2014-11-zx1403