How do doctors tell if you have stomach ulcers?.?

Sometimes doctors can make a decision without doing any tests to treat your condition with a simple pill. You might have acid reflux, which is excess stomach acid coming back up in your throat, or causing an ulcer. If the docs suspect that, you most likely won't need a test. They can put you on pills like Nexium, Prilosec, Tagamet, or Zantac. I recommend that you don't take aspirin a lot if you do, because that can cause ulcers. I've taken those at your age, and it won't do anything. Another thing, don't worry, because it's very common, and it's not dangerous. Stress can cause ulcers too! Taking those pills aren't scary, either. If you've ever chewed a TUMS or Rolaids, it acts the same way, only better. It just reduces the acid in your stomach allowing the lining to heal better. : ) Don't worry and good luck! Make yourself an appointment so you can get some relief! And if you're still scared, try going to the store and buying some over the counter Zantac 75. Take one of those in the morning with a glass of water and see how your stomach feels. If it's better, that's the problem and you should see your doc to be put on something more long term. (Like Nexium or Prilosec) Oh, and I forgot to add, one of the tests they did on me was really easy. They made me do an Xray. First they made me swallow this pill that made my stomach full of gas like a just had a glass of soda pop and then i had to drink this glass of chalky white stuff and they xrayed my stomach while i was drinking it. It tasted horrible, but it was fun to watch it go down in my stomach. It didn't hurt at all, and I got to see my insides. Pretty neat.

- Diagnosis Physical examination and patient history The diagnosis of peptic ulcers is rarely made on the basis of a physical examination alone. The only significant finding may be mild soreness in the area over the stomach when the doctor presses (palpates) it. The doctor is more likely to suspect an ulcer if the patient has one or more of the following risk factors: * male sex * age over 45 * recent weight loss, bleeding, recurrent vomiting, jaundice, back pain, or anemia * history of using aspirin or other NSAIDs * history of heavy smoking * family history of ulcers or stomach cancer Endoscopy and imaging studies An endoscopy is considered the best procedure for diagnosing digestive ulcers and for taking samples of stomach tissue for biopsies. An endoscope is a slender tube-shaped instrument that allows the doctor to view the tissues lining the stomach and duodenum. Duodenal ulcers are rarely malignant. If the ulcer is in the stomach, however, the doctor will take a tissue sample because 3-5% of gastric ulcers are malignant. Radiological studies are sometimes used instead of endoscopy because they are less expensive, more comfortable for the patient, and are 85% accurate in detecting malignancies. Laboratory tests BLOOD TESTS Blood tests usually give normal results in ulcer patients without complications. They are useful, however, in evaluating anemia from a bleeding ulcer or a high white cell count from perforation or penetration. Serum gastrin levels can be used to screen for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. TESTS FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORI It is important to test for H. pylori because almost all ulcer patients who are not taking NSAIDs are infected. Noninvasive tests include blood tests for immune response and a breath test. In the breath test, the patient is given an oral dose of radiolabeled urea. If H. pylori is present, it will react with the urea and the patient will exhale radiolabeled carbon dioxide. Invasive tests for H. pylori include tissue biopsies and cultures performed from fluid obtained by endoscopy. - Treatment Medications Most drugs that are currently given to treat ulcers work either by lowering the rate of stomach acid secretion or by protecting the mucous tissues that line the digestive tract. ANTISECRETORY DRUGS Medications that lower the rate of stomach acid secretions fall into two major categories: proton pump inhibitors, which bind an enzyme that secretes stomach acid, and H2 receptor antagonists, which work by reducing intracellular acid secretion. The proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). The H2 receptor antagonists include ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). Both types of drugs have few serious side effects and appear to be safe for long-term use. PROTECTIVE DRUGS The drugs that are currently used to protect the stomach tissues are sucralfate (Carafate), which forms a pastelike substance that clings to the mucous tissues and prevents further damage from stomach acid; and bismuth preparations. A third type of protective drug includes misoprostol (Cytotec), which is often given to patients with ulcers caused by NSAIDs. Surgery Surgical treatment of ulcers is generally used only for complications and suspected malignancies. The most common surgical procedures that are used are vagotomies, in which the connections of the vagus nerve to the stomach are cut in order to reduce acid secretion; and antrectomies, which involve the removal of a part of the stomach (the antrum). Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Most doctors presently recommend treatment to eliminate H. pylori in order to prevent ulcer recurrences. Without such treatment, ulcers recur at the rate of 80% per year. The usual regimen used to eliminate the bacterium is a combination of tetracycline, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), and metronidazole (Metizol). - Alternative treatment Alternative treatments can relieve symptoms and promote healing of ulcers. A primary goal of these treatments is to rebalance the stomach's hydrochloric acid output and to enhance the mucosal lining of the stomach. Food allergies have been pointed to as a major cause of peptic (stomach) ulcers. An elimination/challenge diet can help identify the allergenic food(s) and continued elimination of these foods can assist in healing the ulcer. People with ulcers should not take aspirin. They should also stop smoking, since smoking irritates the mucosal lining of the stomach. Antacids should be avoided by anyone with an ulcer, because they can cause a rebound effect of increasing gastric acid secretion, as well as deplete vital nutrients necessary for healing. Stress reduction is also important for ulcer sufferers. Botanical medicine offers a variety of remedies that may be helpful in ulcer treatment. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL, in a chewable or powder form, can help heal the mucous membranes and increase mucous so that it mixes with saliva to protect the membranes. Raw cabbage juice, high in glutanic acid, is very effective in healing an ulcer (take 1 quart per day in divided doses). Soothing herbs, such as plantain (Plantago major), marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), and slippery elm (Ulmus fulva); astringent herbs, such as geranium (Pelargonium odoratissimum); and the anitmicrobial herb goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) can all be effective. Nutritionists advise taking antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, and selenium. - Prognosis The prognosis for recovery from ulcers is good for most patients. Very few ulcers fail to respond to the medications that are currently used to treat them. Recurrences can be cut to 5% by eradication of H. pylori. Most patients who develop complications recover without problems even when emergency surgery is necessary. - Prevention Strategies for the prevention of ulcers or their recurrence include the following: * eradication of H. pylori in patients already diagnosed with ulcers * giving misoprostol to patients who must take NSAIDs * avoiding unnecessary use of aspirin and NSAIDs * giving up smoking * cutting down on alcohol, tea, coffee, and sodas containing caffeine.