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Gastric Disease (Dyspepsia: Non-ulcer, ulcer) includes both ulcer and non-ulcer types. The symptoms are similar, such as pain and tightness under the sternum, above the navel, pain under the left rib cage, and some cases experience tightness extending to the chest. Symptoms are often intermittent and related to meals. Pain may occur before meals when hungry, after meals when full, and symptoms may improve after eating. However, if symptoms are more severe, there is a risk of serious diseases such as stomach cancer.
<h2>Factors Causing Gastric Disease</h2>
<ul>
<li>Bacterial infection named Helicobacter pylori, which can be transmitted through consuming contaminated food or water. This bacterium can cause stomach ulcers and some types of stomach cancer.</li>
<li>Pain relief medications for joints and bones (Aspirin and NSAIDs) increase the risk of stomach ulcers or inflammation and slow ulcer healing.</li>
<li>Smoking increases the rate of stomach ulcers, slows healing, causes easy recurrence, and reduces the effectiveness of medication treatment.</li>
<li>Alcoholic beverages</li>
<li>Stress, irregular meal times, or eating very spicy food.</li>
<li>Gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea or food poisoning.</li>
<li>Acne medications may cause esophageal ulcers or gastric disease.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Warning Symptoms&#8230; Time to See a Doctor Immediately (Alarming Symptom)</h2>
<ul>
<li>Black stools or stools with blood</li>
<li>Weight loss</li>
<li>Paleness or jaundice (yellowing)</li>
<li>Severe pain lasting for hours</li>
<li>Severe continuous vomiting or vomiting with blood</li>
<li>Pain or difficulty swallowing</li>
<li>Family history of gastric disease</li>
<li>Palpable abdominal mass or enlarged lymph nodes</li>
</ul>
<h2>Treatment Guidelines for Gastric Disease</h2>
<ul>
<li>For patients with symptoms of epigastric pain, bloating, belching, or heartburn lasting no more than 2 weeks and without significant warning symptoms, treatment guidelines are as follows:</li>
<li>Take antacids</li>
<li>Avoid smoking, alcohol, spicy food, and eat meals regularly</li>
<li>Exercise</li>
<li>Avoid unnecessary pain relief medications for joints and bones</li>
</ul>
<h2>In Cases of Gastric Ulcers, Diagnosis May Require the Following</h2>
<ul>
<li>Biopsy of the ulcer to check for cancer</li>
<li>Biopsy of the lower part of the stomach to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If the bacteria are present along with ulcers, a 2-week course of eradication therapy and 4-6 weeks of ulcer treatment are required.</li>
</ul>
If symptoms do not improve after following the above guidelines, or symptoms last longer than 1 month, or there are significant warning symptoms, further diagnosis is required, namely “gastroscopy.”
Gastroscopy not only examines for ulcers, tumors, and cancer but can also be used to inject medication or stop bleeding through various methods during gastroscopy in patients with gastric bleeding. It also allows monitoring of ulcer healing.
<h2>Gastric Disease Can Be Prevented</h2>
<ul>
<li>Maintain hygiene, consume clean food and water to reduce Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes stomach ulcers and some types of stomach cancer.</li>
<li>Avoid unnecessary pain relief medications for joints and bones.</li>
<li>Avoid smoking, alcohol, spicy food, eat meals regularly, and exercise to relieve stress.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Dr. Jeerawat Silasuwan 
Specialist in Gastrointestinal Diseases 
Gastrointestinal and Liver Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital

Loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools may indicate the presence of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach, or it could be a tumor or stomach cancer.

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Gastric disease, a chronic condition... that may have hidden dangers

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