Home Health : Ulcer Treatment
If you suffer from mild symptoms of an ulcer, it’s important that you don’t try to self-treat. Symptoms are usually a gnawing or burning pain in your abdomen that may be worse when your stomach is empty, but improves temporarily when you eat some food. Although antacids and acid blockers available over the counter may provide some short-term relief, an ulcer usually involves a bacterial infection that requires a physician’s diagnosis and treatment. The bacteria that causes ulcers, called H-pylori, secretes enzymes that neutralize stomach acids, then attacks the lining of the stomach. Bacteria and stomach acids combine to irritate the stomach lining and cause a sore or ulcer. Without proper treatment, an ulcer can lead to serious complications such as perforations of the stomach wall, bleeding and anemia. For more information or to find a physician, call St. John’s Referral One at 625.2000 or log on to stj.com.
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