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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: John Manabile on 07/03/2009 11:30:02

Title: What are the symptoms of stomach ulcers?
Post by: John Manabile on 07/03/2009 11:30:02

John Manabile  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris
 
I have a relative whom I suspect has stomach ulcer but not sure. I seems to me if it is indeed that then it is now at the critical level.
This person cannot eat because food is painful when passing through around diaphragm just below chest.

Information to this will be highly appreciated.
 
Thanks very much
 
Regards
John Manabile

What do you think?

Title: What are the symptoms of stomach ulcers?
Post by: graham.d on 07/03/2009 21:32:09

This person should see a GP. I doubt this is a stomach ulcer because the symptoms are normally pain sometime after eating when the acid builds and irritates the ulcer. The pain is unusual in that it feels more like a severe contraction of the stomach. I don't know what an ulcer feels like should it perforate though. It sounds more like a restriction in the oesophaegus which should be checked out as can be, though is not necessarily, very serious.

I had a stomach ulcer for years, controlled by acid suppressants. It was cured after the discovery that the ulcers were caused as a side effect of a bacteria (helicibacter pylori) that can live in the high acidity of the stomach. A cocktail of antibiotics did the trick in a couple of weeks.