Symptoms
Both types of gastric disease, ulcerative and non-ulcerative, have similar symptoms. These include a feeling of tightness and pain under the sternum, above the navel, and pain under the left rib cage. Some patients may experience tightness extending to the chest. Symptoms are often intermittent and related to meals. Pain may occur before meals when hungry or after meals when full, and symptoms may improve after eating. In severe cases, there may be vomiting of blood, black stools, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Important Warning Signs to See a Doctor
Loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools, which may indicate ulcers or bleeding, or possibly tumors or stomach cancer.
Factors Causing Gastric Disease
1. Bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori, which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. This bacterium can cause gastric ulcers and some types of stomach cancer.
2. Pain relievers for joints and bones (Aspirin and NSAIDs) increase the risk of gastric ulcers or inflammation and slow ulcer healing.
3. Smoking increases the rate of gastric ulcers, slows healing, causes frequent recurrence, and reduces the effectiveness of medication treatment.
4. Alcohol
5. Stress, eating spicy food, or irregular meal times
6. Gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea or food poisoning
7. Acne medications may cause esophageal ulcers or gastric disease.
Abdominal Pain That Requires Immediate Medical Attention for Further Diagnosis (Alarming Symptoms)
1. Black stools or stools with blood
2. Weight loss
3. Paleness or jaundice (yellowing)
4. Severe pain lasting for hours
5. Severe continuous vomiting or vomiting with blood
6. Pain or difficulty swallowing
7. Family history of gastric disease
8. Palpable abdominal mass or enlarged lymph nodes
Treatment Guidelines
For patients with symptoms of tight abdominal pain, bloating, belching, and heartburn lasting no more than 2 weeks and without important warning signs, the treatment guidelines are as follows:
1. Take antacid medication
If symptoms do not improve after following the above or if symptoms last longer than 1 month or if there are important warning signs from the beginning, further diagnosis is necessary, which is “gastroscopy.”
If there is no gastric ulcer
Follow the above guidelines. Medication may be required for 4 weeks.
If there is a gastric ulcer
1. A biopsy must be taken from the ulcer to check for cancer.
2. A biopsy must be taken from the lower part of the stomach to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If the bacteria are present along with the ulcer, eradication therapy for 2 weeks and ulcer treatment for 4-6 weeks are required.
Gastroscopy not only detects 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 can also monitor ulcer healing.
Prevention of Gastric Disease
1. Maintain hygiene, consume clean food and water to reduce the rate of Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes gastric ulcers and some types of stomach cancer.
2. Avoid unnecessary use of pain relievers for joints and bones.
3. Avoid smoking, alcohol, spicy food, eat meals on time, and exercise to relieve stress.
