How Are Esophageal Ulcers Caused
The main causes of esophageal ulcers are:
Exposure to stomach acid: This causes chronic inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, allowing ulcers to develop. Stomach acid exposure most often occurs in people with other gastrointestinal conditions. These can include hiatal hernias and GERD, or gastrointestinal reflux disease, more commonly referred to, as severe heartburn.
Medications: Certain drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, bisphosphonates, and some antibiotics, can cause esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, and esophageal ulcers.
Infection: Ulcers caused by infection are less common, but the fungal infection known as candida, herpes, and the human papillomavirus have all been linked to esophageal ulcers.
Caustic injury: Esophageal ulcers may be caused by ingesting a corrosive substance. This type of injury mostly affects children, but it can also occur in adults who experience psychosis, suicidal tendencies, or who are abusing alcohol.
Certain types of gastric surgery or foreign bodies can also cause esophageal ulcers.
Early intervention is key to preventing complications from esophageal ulcers.
In cases of acid reflux, treatment may include:
- Medication, such as antacids, H-2-receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors .
- Dietary and lifestyle changes, to aid digestion.
- Surgery, for severe cases. Types of surgeries include to tighten the LES valve near the top of the stomach or to insert a magnetic device to help the LES valve function.
Pressure On The Spinal Nerves
Herniated discs can be caused by lifting heavy objects or by injuries, such as whiplash. This condition is also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc. When a disc in your back ruptures, pressure may be placed on the spinal nerves.
A herniated disc occurs if the soft inside of a spinal disc pushes out, bulging through a tear in its outer coating. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back, but can also occur in the neck, causing pain in the upper back. They may be more likely to occur in people who are overweight, or in older people.
Other symptoms of a herniated disc include:
- arm or shoulder pain that may be made worse by coughing or sneezing
- tingling sensation
- muscle weakness in the arm or shoulder
What Is A Stomach Ulcer
Peptic ulcers are painful sores that line the stomachand they affect about 4.5 million people per year. Normally the stomach has a protective layer that keeps the acidic juices in the stomach from getting to sensitive tissue and causing an ulcer. However, some people are at risk for developing stomach ulcers, most often due to long-term use of NSAIDs, the class of pain reliever that includes ibuprofen or aspirin, or an infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori. The good news is that treatment can help many ulcers to heal. Here are the signs of an ulcer you shouldnt ignore.
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Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers
Not all peptic ulcers cause symptoms, but the most common one is upper abdominal pain or discomfort. People with peptic ulcers can feel this gnawing or burning pain just below the rib cage.
About 70 percent of ulcers are asymptomatic, or silent, Dr. Yalamanchili says. Older patients are more likely to have vague symptoms or none at all. If there is pain, the timing of its development in relation to eating can offer clues about where the ulcer is located.
With a stomach ulcer, eating worsens pain by inducing acid production in the stomach. Pain may be felt within 15 minutes to half an hour, Dr. Yalamanchili says.
For duodenal ulcers, eating may provide temporary relief of pain due to the buffering effect of food in the GI tract, so the pain occurs later, usually two to three hours after eating or during the night, she says.
Other symptoms of peptic ulcers include bloating, nausea, a feeling of fullness, weight loss or bleeding.
Causes of Peptic Ulcers
H. pylori causes 90 percent of duodenum ulcers and 70 to 90 percent of stomach or gastric ulcers, Dr. Yalamanchili says. H. pylori is the most common chronic bacterial infection in humans, and most people dont even know that they have it.
People are often infected with H. pylori in childhood. It is spread through person-to-person contact and through contaminated food or water. Poor hygiene can be a risk factor for contracting H. pylori.
Tylenol is not an NSAID, so it is a good choice for people prone to ulcers.
When To See A Doctor
If back pain is your only symptom and you suspect its caused by muscle strain, you can try rest and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen , as long as your doctor has told you its ok to take this type of medication, and see if you feel better in a few days. If the pain persists for a week or more, or gets increasingly worse, then see a doctor.
If you have other symptoms along with back pain, you should consider seeing a doctor. This is particularly true if you notice changes in urine, indicating a kidney problem, or tarry stools, which could mean an ulcer or other serious condition.
A urinary tract infection or bladder infection can progress to a kidney infection, so its always best to get a diagnosis and treatment if these conditions are present. Likewise, an ulcer can raise your risk of internal bleeding, so responding soon to symptoms is always a good idea.
When back pain is accompanied by pain running down one or both legs, its usually caused by a nerve in your spine thats being irritated. You should see your doctor if you have these symptoms. They can recommend a variety of non-invasive or invasive treatments.
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How Can I Prevent A Stomach Ulcer From Occurring Or Returning
- Reduce NSAID use, if possible. Consider whether acetaminophen might substitute. If you take NSAIDs for medical reasons, talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage or switching your medication. Your doctor may also prescribe another medicine to take with NSAIDs to protect your stomach lining.
- Reduce other irritants that may contribute to too much stomach acid or erode your stomach lining, including smoking and alcohol use.
- Take an H. pylori breath test to find out if you have an overgrowth of the bacteria.
Bleeding Ulcers Symptoms And Causes
Bleeding ulcers are a big deal. Often having endoscopy is diagnostic and therapeutic. A gastroenterologist can use a fiberoptic camera to view the inside of the stomach and duodenum, searching for a source of bleeding.
Symptoms of a bleeding ulcer include:
- Indigestion
- Abdominal discomfort after eating
- Upper abdominal burning or hunger pain 1 to 3 hours after eating or in the middle of the night
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What Causes Upper Stomach And Back Pain
Got stomach and back pains? These two symptoms are quite common among Americans. Back pains are the most common reason why employees call in sick at work. While theyre both extremely uncomfortable, stomach and back pains happening at the same time are a cause for concern. It usually means that there is a problem with the internal organs located in the area.
Here are some of the possible causes of upper stomach and back pain:
Youve Had Unexplained Vomiting
From time to time, nausea brought on by ulcers may become so intense that it could actually cause you to vomit. If that happens, stay away from medications like ibuprofen and aspirin. According to Dr. Sengupta, these over-the-counter pain medications actually put you at a higher risk of developing ulcersor make your current ulcers worse.
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Replenish Gastric Acid And Digestive Enzymes
At his Tahoma clinic Dr Wright Wright has conducted thousands of tests on stomach acid levels since 1976.
In all those years, the test results have consistently shown that hypochlorydria occurred in 90% of people with mild to moderate heartburn.
He also found that replenishing low stomach acid with HCL supplements were successful in helping to increase production of stomach acid and eliminate the symptoms of GERD and heartburn.
Am I Likely To Get Back Pain
Several factors can increase your chances of having upper and middle back pain. Among them:
- Age.Back pain starts for most people in their 30s or 40s, and itâs more common the older you get.
- Being out of shape. The stronger the muscles in your back, shoulder, and abdomen, the lower your chance of injury.
- Weight. If you carry extra pounds, you put more strain on your back.
- Underlying conditions. Diseases such as arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
- Smoking. Smokerâs cough can strain your back. And if you smoke, you may be slower to heal, which can make your back pain last longer.
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Youre More Bloated Than Usual
If you notice your stomach feeling particularly bloated, it may be more serious than a little bit of gasit could be one of the signs of an ulcer. Of course, bloating can also be caused simply by eating something your body doesnt agree with, but when combined with these other symptoms, its worth checking out. Find out how to tell if you should worry about your belly bloat.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bleeding Ulcer
Bleeding ulcers dont always cause pain. Sometimes the first signs of a bleeding ulcer are signs of anemia. These include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
You might have a heavier bleed if you notice:
- Blood in your poop, or black poop that resembles tar.
- Bloody vomit.
These symptoms require urgent medical attention.
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Merck and Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the MSD Manual outside of the United States and Canada. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.
Overeating Or Eating Trigger Foods
It is easy to understand why a person with debilitating back pain often becomes less active and eats more.
Back pain can get severe enough that it makes even the slightest movements or motions hurt a ton.
Eating more and not exercising enough , however, does take its toll on your body.
It increases your risk for acid reflux and GERD, particularly greasy foods that are known as common triggers for acid reflux.
Here are some other trigger foods to avoid:
- Onion
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Foods that trigger acid reflux for one person may not necessarily trigger the condition in you.
As unfortunate as this may seem, finding out your complete list of trigger foods may take some trial and error.
You can, however, make an effort to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux by reducing your meal portions.
You can also take other steps, such as not eating shortly before heading to bed, as that can contribute to acid reflux while sleeping.
When acid reflux or GERD is not properly managed, the symptoms can get worse over time.
What you will want to do is talk about acid reflux and back pain issues with your doctor so that an appropriate remedy can be provided.
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Problems Affecting The Sacroiliac Joint
Thesacroiliac joints play a role to support and move the load of your upper bodyssection to the lower body.
Inflammationof the sacroiliac joints ,for example, can cause pain in the lower back and buttocks. The pain may alsoradiate to one or both legs. And it usually gets worse with stair climbing orprolonged standing.
What Are The Possible Complications Of Peptic Ulcer Disease
An ulcer left untreated may cause serious complications, including:
- Internal bleeding: While most people with ulcers wont have bleeding, this is the most common complication that can occur. A slow bleeding ulcer can cause anemia or even severe blood loss.
- Perforation: An ulcer that is continuously eroded by acid can eventually become a hole in the stomach or intestinal wall. This is intensely painful and also dangerous. It allows bacteria from the digestive tract to enter the abdominal cavity, which can lead to an infection of the abdominal cavity called peritonitis. From there, the infection is at risk of spreading to the rest of the body . This can lead to a life-threatening condition called .
- Obstruction: An ulcer in the pyloric channel, the narrow passageway that leads from the stomach into the duodenum, can become an obstruction that blocks the flow of food into the small intestine. This can happen after the ulcer has healed. Ulcers that have gone through a healing process may build up scar tissue that enlarges them. An ulcer that is big enough to obstruct the small intestine can stall the digestive process, with numerous side effects.
- Stomach cancer: Some gastric ulcers can become malignant over time. This is more likely when your ulcer is caused by H. pylori infection. H. pylori is a contributing cause of gastric cancer, though fortunately this is uncommon.
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Mimics Of Duodenal Ulcer Back Pain
Back pain can be due to local causes or radiation from internal abdominal organs.
If you have isolated back pain, it is better to think of local causes. However, if the back pain is associated with digestive symptoms, you should consider causes in the digestive system, such as:
- Stomach ulcers
The following are the most common mimics of duodenal ulcer back pain.
Stomach Virus Or Food Poisoning
Infection can cause gastroenteritis, which leads to pain and inflammation in your stomach. These infections include salmonella or norovirus. This condition can cause intense stomach cramping that extends to your back. In the worst cases, it can cause you to throw up so hard and frequently to the point that your stomach muscles and back will become sore. This infection usually goes away on its own, but go to the hospital if you continue vomiting after 24 hours and develop sunken eyes and other signs of intense dehydration.
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Can Acid Reflux Cause Upper Back Pain
Why does our back hurt after eating?
Well, it could be for a number of reasons, such as bad posture and allergies to pancreatitis and kidney infection.
There are also many who ask: can acid reflux cause upper back pain?
Yes, that could also be the case because back pain is so often the outcome of referred pain.
This is the kind of pain that stems from one part of the body and radiates onto another.
There are a variety of remedies for acid reflux, including natural options like these three food items discussed in this Heartburn No More video.
Can A Stomach Ulcer Cause Back Pain
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Pain That Comes With Fever
Severe back pain that comes with fever, plus tingling or numbness in your arms, can be a sign of a spinal infection. It doesnt happen often, but youre more at risk if you are obese, immunosuppressed, or have diabetes or cancer. Your doctor will ask for X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans to rule it out. In some cases, you may have to check in the hospital to get intravenous antibiotics.
Is There A Peptic Ulcer Diet Plan
No particular diet is helpful for people with peptic ulcers. At one time, a bland diet and avoidance of spicy or greasy foods was recommended. Milk and dairy food have been used in the past for ulcer symptoms, but have not been proven to be effective. We now know diet has little effect on ulcers. In some people, however, certain foods seem to aggravate stomach ulcer symptoms. Keep a food diary with your intake and the resulting symptoms and avoid eating any foods that aggravate symptoms.
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Red Flags For Swollen Stomach And Back Pain
Bloating causes a distended stomach when the abdomen fills up with gas or air. This discomforting sensation can also cause pain that may be felt in the back. Together, a swollen stomach and back pain can make you feel not only distressed but perhaps a bit self-conscious as well.
The two symptoms are tied together because the back provides support and stabilizes the body. However, abdominal bloating causes pressure and pain in the area which can spread to the back. The pain may vary in severity and type from sensations of dull throbbing to sharp and pinching pain.
When the two symptoms are experienced separately they are fairly common and not usually a cause for concern. But in instances where a bloating stomach pain is also accompanied by back pain, they could be indicative of a more serious condition. These should not be taken lightly as they can include the following:
What Causes Stomach Ulcers
The two most common causes are:
- H. pylori infection. This common bacterial infection affects up to half of people worldwide. It primarily lives in the stomach. In many people, it doesnt seem to cause problems. Their gut immune systems keep it in check. But a portion of those infected have H. pylori overgrowth. The bacteria continue to multiply, eating into the stomach lining and causing chronic inflammation and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori infection is associated with about 60% of duodenal ulcers and 40% of gastric ulcers.
- Overuse of NSAIDs. NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.” These include common over-the-counter pain relief medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. NSAIDs contribute to ulcers in several ways. They irritate the stomach lining on contact and repress some of the chemicals that defend and repair the mucous lining. Up to 30% of people who take NSAIDs regularly develop peptic ulcers. Up to 50% of all peptic ulcers are caused by the overuse of NSAIDs.
Less common causes of stomach ulcers include:
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. This is a rare condition that causes your stomach to produce too much gastric acid.
- Severe physiological stress. Severe illness, burns or injuries can produce stress ulcers in the stomach. Physiological stress changes your bodys PH balance, increasing stomach acid. Stress ulcers develop very quickly in response to stress, unlike normal stomach ulcers that develop gradually.
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