Best Docs Network Magazine December 2013 | Seite 8

Good to Know

with Dr. Honaker

Stomach Ulcers
DR. RICHARD HONAKER
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Honaker is featured on
Best Docs Network DFW,
Houston and Nashville in the
Medical Minute segments, as
it’s trusted family medicine
physician discussing topics
ranging from eating healthy,
weight loss, and sleep problems to preventive care for
headaches, food poisoning
and sunburns.
Family Medicine
Associates
of Texas
(972) 394 - 8844
4333 N Josey Ln.
Carrollton, Texas

Stomach ulcers affect anywhere
from 10 to 15 percent of the population at any given time. Heartburn on
the other hand affects approximately 15 million people daily. So, how
can you tell when you’re experiencing pain due to a stomach ulcer?

heartburn is if when you’re hungry
you get a little gnawing pain at the
pit of your stomach or just up at the
top of your stomach. Once you eat,
then the food in your stomach absorbs the acid and subsides the pain
for a few hours until the food is digested. After the food is fully digested, the pain returns. This consistent
discomfort is a good indicator you
may have a stomach ulcer verses
heartburn.

Stomach ulcers are very serious.
They are little erosions or scooped
out areas in the stomach where the
acid has eaten a hole. These can
bleed and cause pain in the abdominal area. You will know the ulcer is
bleeding if you notice that you are
having black bowel movements.
That is generally the color of blood as
it runs through your intestines and the
acid changes it to a black color. If
the ulcers are severe, you may experience vomiting that contains blood
as well.

Ulcers can occur at any age; however they are rare for children and
teenagers. There has been extensive
research done to explore stomach
ulcers and now there are effective treatments available. There are
blood tests, tissue tests, and even
breath tests that can be done to
diagnose stomach ulcers. If you
suspect having an ulcer, be sure to )