Aurora Sinai Medical Center issued the following announcement on Dec. 16
Your stomach can hurt for a lot of different reasons, a feeling a lot of people are familiar with in these times of holiday eating.
But when should you be concerned that the pain or discomfort you’re feeling might be an ulcer?
The most common types of ulcers are found in the stomach and small intestine where there’s a tear in the lining.
Dr. Andrew Albert, Medical director of Digestive Health and gastroenterologist based at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, says they can be caused by stress or anxiety that creates too much gastric acid in your stomach, or frequently they can develop from frequent use of over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin, motrin, or additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. In other cases, ulcers can be caused by infections or chronic diseases.
The symptoms you might feel if you have one include:
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Cramping
- Red or black stool
What you shouldn’t do with any stomach problem is just wait it out, Dr. Albert says.
“For one, any health problem with your stomach or otherwise tends to get worse as time goes on, so it’s best to seek care sooner rather than later,” Dr. Albert said. “For another, you’ll just be worried, unsure of what the issue really is. A doctor can tell you and put your mind at ease or help you deal with whatever is ailing you.”
Original source can be found here.
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