Abdominal problems are often difficult to diagnose since the symptoms of any one problem are reminiscent of lots of different kinds of issues, including gastritis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and a variety of other problems.  It's important to see your doctor and arrive at a proper diagnosis if you think you may have an ulcer, so you can receive the proper care. Ulcer symptoms include:  Persistent or recurring stomach or abdominal pain Discomfort or a bloating sensation in the abdomen Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Traces of blood in vomit Dark black or tarry-looking stool indicative of bleeding from the upper part of the small intestine Weight loss, pallor, lightheadedness, and weakness due to persistent blood loss If you're having stomach problems, it's not necessarily an ulcer. Based on the history of your symptoms, your diet, and a physical exam, your doctor will be able to rule out the possibility or might advise further investigations to confirm it.  The doctor may start you on medication to reduce the pain and acidity if the symptoms are mild. Inform the doctor if there is persistence of blood in your vomit, if the stools continue to appear black, or if your symptoms worsen. There may be an underlying serious condition that needs to be taken care of. In such a case you will be asked to undergo tests to determine the cause of the bleeding. Your general practitioner may recommend that you visit a GI (gastrointestinal) specialist, during which time you may go through tests which can be used to properly diagnose any kind of digestive ulcer.  Two non-invasive tests that can be used to rule out other causes include an ultrasound of your whole abdomen and an MRI. While these tests won't show an ulcer, they do help your doctor rule out other issues.  Non-invasive upper gastrointestinal (GI) x-rays can help your doctor see an ulcer. After drinking a chalky substance called barium, you will have x-rays taken to look for signs of ulcers in your stomach. Once the ulcer is detected, the doctor may advise endoscopy to know the exact location and extent of the ulcer. While you are under mild sedation, the doctor will insert a thin tube with a small camera at the end down your throat and into your stomach. The camera allows the doctor to see inside of your digestive tract and take a tissue sample, known as a biopsy. This is a simple and almost painless procedure.  A breath test will be conducted to see if your body currently has an active ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria. If you do have an ulcer, it will convert urea used in the test to carbon dioxide, which you will exhale. A stool test with a culture is done to confirm bleeding and also the presence of H.pylori. Blood tests will be performed to check for growths or antibodies to H. pylori. Blood tests can only show exposure to H. pylori, so it won't confirm that you currently have an ulcer. Ulcers need to be healed by addressing the underlying condition of the ulcer specific to you. That's why it is important to get a proper diagnosis and follow through with your doctor's recommended treatment. Most treatments involve medication, eliminating the cause of the ulcer and dietary changes.  Often, H. pylori infection is to blame, in which case the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to help eradicate it. Since treating H. pylori requires a combination therapy, you will also be prescribed a proton-pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec) or an H2 agonist (Pepcid), which blocks the production of acid in your stomach and allows your stomach to heal.  Sucralfate is also used often to treat ulcers.  In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary, especially if complications develop as a result of ulcers that go too long without treatment. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause ulcers and can exacerbate the symptoms. Avoid taking NSAIDS while you have an active ulcer and for extended periods of time thereafter. If you need to take medication to deal with pain symptoms, ask a doctor about your options. In some cases, you might be able to take NSAIDs along with an acid reducer, or you can pursue alternative pain treatments. Often you will feel indigestion and heartburn, with burning and nausea in the upper abdomen under the ribs. Antacids can be used to provide temporary relief of symptoms, but will not ultimately cure ulcers. Be careful when using antacids as they can prevent your medications from working. Over the counter antacid choices include:  Calcium carbonate, found it products like Tums and Rolaids, is probably the most common OTC antacid. Sodium bicarbonate products such as Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) can also be used to soothe the lining of the stomach, and are widely available. Magnesium hydroxide is also commonly recommended, marketed as Phillips' Milk of Magnesia. A mix of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide is sold as Maalox, Mylanta and other brands. Less common antacids include aluminum hydroxide, sold under the brand names AlternaGEL and Amphojel, among others.
حدد أعراض القرح. تحدث مع طبيبك عن الأعراض التي تعاني منها. اعرف التشخيص. اطلب الاستشارات العلاجية من الطبيب. تجنب تناول مضادات الالتهاب اللاستيرويدية والأسبرين. استخدم مضادات الحموضة التي لا تحتاج لوصفة طبية لكي تحد من الأعراض.