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| Stomach Ulcer |
People born with a masculine gender identity may occasionally experience different stomach ulcer symptoms than those born with a female identity. However, stomach ulcer symptoms are often the same regardless of gender.
The mucus lining that shields the inside of your stomach is worn away by stomach acid or bacteria, leading to painful sores known as stomach ulcers (also known as peptic or gastric ulcers).
Continue reading to find out what factors can raise your chance of having a stomach ulcer, how to recognize signs of a stomach ulcer, and when to call a doctor.
What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer in a man?
Compared to birth gender-assigned females, males do not exhibit any more stomach ulcer symptoms.
The most typical sign of a stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is burning abdominal discomfort between your belly button and your chest. When your stomach empties a few hours after you eat and you feel better after a meal, the pain could be particularly obvious.
Additional typical signs of a stomach ulcer include:
- mild pain lower in your abdomen
- feeling sick
- vomiting (which may include fresh or older blood)
- acid coming up your throat
- heartburn
- anaemia, which can cause you to feel tired or short of breath
- feeling bloated
- getting full easily
Who gets stomach ulcers?
Stomach ulcers are equally likely to occur in both sexes. There is conflicting evidence about whether those born with a male or female gender preference are more likely to develop ulcers.
Men were somewhat more likely to have stomach ulcers, according to a 2016 study comprising 14,290 Korean men and women who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008 and 2009. However, the poll only included residents of Korea and its emphasis was on sleep disorders rather than ulcers.
The following are the main risk factors for stomach ulcers in men:
- being beyond 60 years old
- having close relatives that have also suffered from stomach ulcers
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) use excessively
- smoking tobacco products, such as cigarettes
- consuming alcohol excessively and repeatedly
- sustaining a stomach or abdominal injury
- utilizing blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Major depressive disorder treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- chemotherapy
What causes stomach ulcers?
When the stomach's natural mucus lining becomes damaged, stomach ulcers develop.
This can cause stomach tissue to irritate or even become perforated by stomach acid or infections, a condition known as gastric perforation.
Males typically develop stomach ulcers for one of two reasons:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) overgrowth, is a stomach-dwelling bacteria that can spread when it grows out of control.
- NSAID use for a prolonged length of time.
Additional potential factors for stomach ulcers include:
- receiving a stomach operation.
- intestine or stomach cancer.
- Other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) such as Crohn's disease.
- intestinal obstruction that affects your stomach
- liver cirrhosis or damage.
- COPD is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Due to increased stomach acid production, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can also result in stomach ulcers, but it's extremely uncommon.
What can be mistaken for a stomach ulcer?
In addition to stomach ulcers, other disorders can also cause abdominal pain, such as:
- food poisoning
- food allergies
- ulcerative colitis
- gallbladder diseases
- hepatitis
- diverticulitis
- intestinal parasites
- gastritis
- peritonitis
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
When to contact a doctor
If you have any of the following severe stomach ulcer symptoms, get emergency medical attention:
- enduring an unforeseen loss of weight
- unable to properly swallow food or liquids
- passing dark-red or black faeces
- spitting blood
- being regularly sick
- experiencing dizziness
- fainting
How to diagnose stomach ulcers
Among the tests doctors use to identify stomach ulcers are:
- physical exam
- medical history
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- liver function tests
- testing for H. pylori, including a breath test or stool antigen test
- stomach tissue biopsy
- upper endoscopy
- barium swallow
- blood tests
How to treat stomach ulcers
Depending on the underlying reason, treatments for stomach ulcers may include:
- using antibiotics to treat infections with H. pylori
- using H2 receptor blockers or proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to assist in lower stomach acid
- ceasing to take NSAIDs
- probiotics are being taken to reduce H. pylori infections.
- undergoing an endoscopy to assess the ulcer's progress
- having a gastrectomy (in rare circumstances) to treat severe or perforated ulcers
Takeaway
Male birth genders do not exhibit any additional signs of stomach ulcers compared to female birth genders. Most symptoms resemble one another.
FAQs
Why do men get stomach ulcers?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria are frequently to blame.
Can boys get stomach ulcers?
Any age child can acquire these ulcers.
How do you confirm a stomach ulcer?
Endoscopy
Can stomach ulcers be cured?
Most ulcers heal in a few months with treatment.
How can I test myself for a stomach ulcer?
The SELFCHECK Stomach Ulcer (H. pylori) screening test.
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