Peptic Ulcer Symptoms in Women

Ulcer, also termed as gastric ulcer, stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer is a crater like sore about ¼ to ¾th inch in diameter that develops in the stomach or duodenum (upper region of small intestine). This sore erodes the protective tissues of the stomach or duodenal lining which leads to some irritating ulcer symptoms in women and men. Research shows that a stomach ulcer is very common all across the world and at some point or the other everyone suffers from an ulcer and its symptoms. It is not life-threatening but has an ability to destroy the gastric juices and acids present in the stomach that aid in digestion. Let us try to understand the specific peptic ulcer symptoms, and the possible causes for their occurrence.

Possible Causes of Peptic Ulcer

Unlike the common belief that an ulcer is an outcome of too much production of digestive acid in the stomach which affects the mucous lining, the fact is that an ulcer can form in the presence of excessive or even minimal acid.

• The root cause for ulcer formation is the tissue break out due to an imbalance between the acid, pepsin and protective mucous layer in the stomach. There are many factors that can disturb this balance like bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which enters the mucous lining, form colonies and secrete an enzyme called urease, which neutralizes the hydrochloric acid (HCl), a gastric acid in the stomach. As a result the hormone gastrin releases more acid at frequent intervals of time which causes erosion of the stomach or duodenal lining.
• Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also affect the balance between stomach acid and mucosal protection. These medications suppress the body's natural mechanism for releasing protective mucus and acid-neutralizing bicarbonate which disrupts the normal acid production.
• Apart from these, stress, caffeine, smoking, alcohol, nutrient deficiencies, low fiber diets, food allergies, or some illnesses are few other peptic ulcer causes.

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer

Usually, during the initial stages no ulcer symptoms in women show up. However, the signs of stomach ulcers vary from one person to another as per their health condition. Here are some of the common gastric ulcer symptoms.

Abdominal Pain: The gastric ulcer pain which can be burning, gnawing or aching, takes place anywhere between the navel and the breastbone. The abdominal pain triggers two to three hours after meal, generally underneath the rib cage on the left side of the body.

Indigestion: Indigestion is another common symptom of peptic ulcer that causes a burning sensation somewhere in the middle of the chest. It is often accompanied with burp, belch or frequent hiccups. The discomfort or uneasiness often disappears once the sufferer takes an acid reducer or an antacid.

Other Symptoms: Besides these two most common symptoms of gastric ulcer, some other symptoms associated with gastric ulcers include:

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Pale skin

Certain symptoms that are typically observed and indicate the presence of severe ulcers are

• Vomiting blood: The presence of blood in vomit or certain dark matter is considered to be an emergency that warrants immediate medical care.
• Blood in Stools: Black or tarry stools, or observing blood in stools is another indication that the situation is quite serious and requires immediate medical attention.

Peptic ulcer symptoms if ignored or not treated in time, may cause inflammation of the abdominal cavity, and narrowing or obstruction of the intestinal opening that can prevent food from leaving the stomach and entering the small intestine. These complications can be serious and life-threatening. Therefore it is essential that one shouldn't ignore the warning signs of peptic ulcer, and consult a doctor as early as possible.

Treatment of Peptic Ulcers

Upon determining the exact cause of peptic ulcers, the doctor will prescribe specific treatment for your specific situation. For instance, your doctor may prescribe a different dose or pain reliever if the ulcer is caused by pain relievers. Given below are the possible treatment options that are most likely to be prescribed by the doctor.

• Antibiotics: The bacteria H. pylori is known to cause peptic ulcers in majority cases. The preferred option, prescribed by doctors is a two-week course of antibiotics. The widely prescribed antibiotics are amoxicillin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl) and tetracycline.
• Acid Blockers and Antacids: Certain prescription drugs reduce acid by blocking the action of the parts that produce acids. Some drugs that are widely prescribed are ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine or Tagamei The use of antacids for treating peptic ulcers is advised as antacids can provide rapid pain relief and neutralize existing stomach acid.
• Medication to Protect Intestines and Stomach lining: Sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec) and bismuth subsalicylate are a group of prescribed medication, known as cytoprotective agents, that protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine.

Periodic assessment and medical check-ups help to keep a tab on the progress and elimination of ulcer from the system. If the ulcer symptoms persist even after following the prescribed medication, the doctor may recommend endoscopy, to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. Depending on which, further line of treatment will be undertaken.

The symptoms of peptic ulcer are often mistaken for other medical conditions, like, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), chronic dyspepsia, gallbladder disease, and hence, a thorough diagnosis is essential. In case of any doubt consult a doctor at the earliest and don't resort to self-diagnosis and self-medication.