Bleeding ulcers can be caused by excess stomach acid, certain medications, bacterial infections, alcohol consumption, stress, and diverticulitis. Symptoms include fatigue, fainting, heartburn, and severe pain or cramping. Treatment involves antibiotics, diagnostic tests, and in some cases, surgery.
Several circumstances can contribute to a bleeding ulcer, the most common of which include excess stomach acid and the use of certain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause stomach bleeding when used over a long period of time. A bacterial stomach infection can also cause a bleeding ulcer. Some medical experts believe that cigarette smoking can make a person more prone to developing a bleeding ulcer.
A bleeding ulcer can occur in some individuals who consume alcohol. Heavy drinkers or alcoholics often suffer from bleeding ulcers. In many cases, the individual may mistake the symptoms of a bleeding ulcer for something else because bleeding ulcers often produce symptoms such as fatigue and fainting from blood loss. Symptoms can also include heartburn, which some individuals are likely to treat by using an antacid, which can make a bleeding ulcer worse.
In some cases, a bacterial infection, typically caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, can cause a bleeding ulcer. When the bacteria invade the stomach lining and intestinal tract, severe pain or cramping may be present. Often, this bacterium eats away at the stomach lining and leads to a bleeding stomach ulcer. Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics and in most cases the ulcer will heal and the bleeding will stop.
While not as common as other causes, stomach cancer can cause a bleeding ulcer. Some experts believe that being infected with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria makes a patient more prone to developing gastric cancer. If a doctor suspects that cancer may be present, they will most likely run some diagnostic tests. Tests may include a computed tomography (CT) scan or upper endoscopy, which is done using a small camera to view the stomach.
Patients recovering from severe trauma, such as burns or internal injuries, can develop what is known as a stress ulcer. When a stress ulcer goes untreated for a long time, the ulcer can cause increased damage to the stomach lining. If left untreated, this can lead to stomach bleeding.
Diverticulitis, which causes severe stomach and gastrointestinal pain, can also cause intestinal bleeding. While uncommon, this condition can cause bleeding ulcers in some individuals. Diverticulitis involves inflamed sacs or pockets in the intestinal tract, which can also lead to infection. If the stomach lining becomes infected, bleeding may develop.
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