Gastric ulcers, also known as stomach ulcers, are any erosion of the inner lining of the stomach. These are painful sores which are a type of peptic ulcer disease. It represents a breakage in the tissue lining of the stomach. These ulcers might be easily treatable, but a severe, untreated ulcer can even burn through the wall of the stomach allowing the digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity. This medical condition is known as perforated ulcers and is very painful and requires immediate surgery.

Causes of gastric ulcers
Gastric ulcers occur when the thickening of the mucus layer that protects our stomach from the digestive juices is decreased. These digestive juices containing acids then erode or damage the stomach lining. The most common causes for gastric ulcers include:

• An infection due to the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria which is found to be the causative factor for 60 percent of gastric ulcer cases.
• The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or Ibuprofen for a long period of time or if these drugs are taken in high doses. These are responsible for causing one-fifth of the total gastric ulcer cases.
• The carcinoma of the stomach may also present itself as an ulcer especially in the elderly.

Signs of a gastric ulcer
Although most cases of gastric ulcers report the characteristic symptom of burning or gnawing pain in the center of the abdomen, not all gastric ulcers turn out to be painful. Certain gastric ulcers do not exhibit any symptoms, but most of them exhibit the following signs:

• Pain in the abdominal region below the ribcage.
• Gastric ulcers also cause indigestion in many patients.
• One might feel nauseated or feel like vomiting.
• There can be considerable weight loss.
• The patient might also present with the symptoms of anemia such as lightheadedness.
• Passing dark, sticky, tarlike stools.
• Presence of bright or altered blood present in vomit or bowel movements.
• There could also be acute blood loss due to shock which is a medical emergency.

Managing gastric ulcers
Gastric ulcers can be treated only after looking out for the cause responsible for their origin. Some of these management options include:

• Using antibiotics to kill Helicobacter pylori bacteria. After the antibiotic course, subsequent breath tests are also done to confirm the success of destroying H. pylori .
• Changes should be made in the existing medications or their dosage should be reduced for the ones responsible for contributing to the effects on the stomach lining, hence leading to gastric ulcers.
• Various tablets are available in the market to reduce the acidic content in the gastric juices to lessen the damage caused to the stomach wall.
• Quit smoking so that the natural defenses in the stomach can function without any hindrance.

Hence, getting an early diagnosis is crucial to keep gastric ulcers under control. Consult your doctor about a diet that can help you, as well.