Bleeding Ulcer Treatment

Ulcers are large sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, at the beginning of the small intestine in the duodenum or in the esophagus. Collectively these ulcers are known as peptic ulcers. Our abdomen produces acids to aid in digestion of food. When acids are interfered with, they can form an ulcer in the stomach. Peptic ulcers are of three kinds, depending upon which part of the digestive system they have developed in.

• Gastric Ulcer: This ulcer forms in the stomach.
• Duodenal Ulcer: This type of ulcer develops in the first part of the small intestine, also known as duodenum.
• Esophageal ulcer: This ulcer occurs in the lower section of your esophagus.

Bleeding Ulcers

Causes
The stomach protects itself from the acids it produces by surrounding itself with a coating of mucus (bicarbonate and circulating blood) to ensure safe cell renewal and repair. When this mucus gets damaged, it leads to the development of ulcers. Earlier, an ulcer was believed to be a result of consuming extremely spicy food, however, this cause was proved inaccurate with the finding of the real cause; Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium. H. pylori is a gastrointestinal infection that disrupts the mucous layer, inflaming the stomach lining, resulting in an ulcer. This bacteria lives in the mucous layer.

Besides this major cause, there are other factors that lead to the development of bleeding ulcers. They include the use of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers. Smoking and drinking alcohol increases the concentration of stomach acid, and causes damage to the mucus lining. Stress does not cause an ulcer, but leads to its aggravation. When ulcers are deep and chronic, and not superficial, they cause bleeding. A rare condition of gastrin-secreting tumors may also cause multiple ulcers.

Symptoms
Pain in the stomach with a feeling of bloating and abdominal fullness are the first symptoms of an ulcer. When it is a bleeding ulcer, the symptoms may be dark stool that carry traces of blood, one may even vomit blood, and/or unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

Treatment
Untreated bleeding ulcer can cause more complications like internal bleeding, spread of infection towards the liver or pancreas, or scarring tissues that obstruct food passage through the digestive tract causing severe vomiting. Treatment depends upon the severity of your symptoms. Following is the list of some treatments prescribed and recommended that should give you a rough idea on how to treat bleeding ulcers:

• Acid blockers: Acid blockers or histamine (H-2) blockers decrease the quantity of hydrochloric acid released into the digestive tract. They help relieve pain and promote healing.
• Antacid: Mostly prescribed with other medication, antacids aid in neutralizing acid already present in the stomach, providing relief.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors: Proton-pump inhibitors reduce the stomach's capacity to produce acid by blocking the action of acid pumps.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics ensure that the infection is cured, reducing the chances of the ulcers to reoccur.
• Endoscopy: In the endoscopy method, the surgeon uses electricity, heat, etc to stop the ulcer from bleeding. Once the bleeding ulcer is contained, adrenaline and fibrin glue is injected into the ulcer to reduce the chance of bleeding again.
• Surgery: Surgery is recommended for very severe cases where the bleeding is intense and could cause a hemorrhage. The bleeding vessel and the ulcer is stitched closed.

Its treatment also includes reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption, and avoidance of excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will also go a long way to reduce the chances of a bleeding ulcer.