Tag Archives: ulcer

What are Venous Ulcers?

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A venous ulcer is a wound that takes a longer time to heal than normal due to issues with blood flow to the heart from your extremities. This causes blood to pool in the legs and damages surrounding skin tissue; as a result, venous ulcers form, most often occurring on your legs near your ankles.

Venous ulcers may be identified based on their appearance, smell, and the sensations associated with them. Typically, these ulcers are shallow and irregularly shaped, and the skin around them may be hard and discolored. They also tend to ache and are typically itchy, foul-smelling, swollen, and oozing pus or other fluids.

The blood flow problems in your legs that cause venous ulcers to develop can occur due to a variety of factors, such as:

  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Paralysis
  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Surgery
  • Prior injuries

You may also be more likely to develop venous ulcers due to conditions that affect the flow of blood from your legs, such as deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, high blood pressure, venous obstruction, and venous reflux. Additionally, your risk may be higher if any of these conditions have affected members of your family.

Venous ulcers can cause permanent damage to surrounding tissues without treatment. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment approaches, depending on the underlying medical problems that may have caused the ulcer to develop. Treatment may also involve several elements focused on the ulcer itself to relieve pain and prevent further tissue damage. Some of these elements may include:

  • Antibiotics
  • Bandages or stockings to improve blood flow and/or cover the wound
  • Protective topical ointments
  • Pain relief medication
  • Debridement
  • Daily cleaning of the wound

If you have developed a venous ulcer, you can receive high-quality treatment from the vascular surgeons at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Understanding Ulcers

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A stomach ulcer, sometimes referred to as a gastric ulcer, occurs when the acids in the stomach slowly eat away at the lining of the stomach resulting in sores. They can be very painful in some cases, and at other times some people will have no symptoms at all.

There are two main causes of stomach ulcers. One is taking too many pain relievers over a long period of time. This slowly destroys the mucosa lining found in the stomach. The other main cause of a stomach ulcer is caused by a bacteria called Heliobacter pylori ( H. pylori) . This bacteria increases the amount of acid in the stomach which eats away at the stomach lining. Other causes of stomach ulcers are smoking, alcoholic beverages, stress, and spicy food.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:

  • Burping
  • Feeling bloated
  • Nausea
  • Blood in stool
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Change in appetite

Having an empty stomach may increase the symptoms.

A stomach ulcer may be accompanied by complications. These can include internal bleeding and infection.

Diagnosing a stomach ulcer is done by taking a thorough medical history and then drawing blood, breathing into a special device, and stool samples.

Treating a stomach ulcer depends on what is causing it. If it is a pain medication issue, then you may have to cut back or reduce the dosage. If it is H. pylori related an antibiotic may be prescribed and then medication to reduce the production of excess stomach acids. Some people get relief by taking antacids or medications that protect the lining of the stomach. Reducing stress may help the symptoms as can eating a healthy diet full of fruits, nuts, and whole grains, eating aged cheese, yogurt, and taking probiotics.

If you are experiencing pain in your abdomen, speak to your physician about possible causes. You can also schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

What is a Peptic Ulcer and How do they Develop?

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Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in certain parts of your digestive tract.  They occur when the protective layer of mucus that lines those areas erodes due to the buildup of acids.  If left untreated, these ulcers can lead to internal bleeding and other complications.

There are two types of peptic ulcer disease that are classified based on where they develop. When an ulcer forms on the stomach lining, it is referred to as a gastric ulcer.  A duodenal ulcer is the name for an ulcer that appears at the top end of the small intestine.  You can have ulcers at any age, but your chances of having one increases with age.

Peptic ulcers generally develop for two reasons:

  • Bacteria – One common type of bacteria, known as Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) is a main cause for peptic ulcers. While as many as 50% of us carry this type of bacteria, most people infected with H. pylori do not get ulcers. For some however, it can raise the amount of acid produced, break down the protective mucus layer, and irritate the digestive tract.
  • Pain Relievers – Another cause for ulcers is prolonged use of pain relievers, such aspirin or medications that contain ibuprofen or naproxen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications block your body from making a chemical that help protect the inner walls of your stomach and small intestine from stomach acid.

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are also contributing factors in the development of ulcers. It is a common misnomer is that stress and spicy foods can a lead to this condition.  The fact is that while they are not factors in the formation of ulcers, they can make an existing condition worse.

Some people can have a peptic ulcer and not experience any symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, the most common is a burning pain or discomfort between the naval and breastbone. The pain can last for a few minutes or a few hours, and may come and go for many days or weeks.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Bloated feeling
  • Burping
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lack of appetite or weight loss
  • Feeling faint
  • Nausea
  • Bloody or dark stool
  • Vomiting

See a doctor if you experience any of these severe symptoms or if your pain does not go away with over the counter antacids. Your physician can diagnose a peptic ulcer by conducting an endoscopy. During this test, a thin, flexible tube is inserted down your throat and into your stomach and small intestine. The tube has a camera at the end to check the lining for ulcers.

Once confirmed, your doctor can prescribe certain medications designed to help protect the lining of the stomach or small intestine so the ulcer can heal.

To schedule an appointment with a Gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.