Symptoms of Ulcers Seniors Should Know

According to some studies as many as 10% of seniors over the age of 65 could have peptic ulcers. Ulcers are sores that occur in the lining of the stomach and in the upper part of the small intestine. They typically develop over time and can be very painful. Sometimes seniors will notice that eating certain kinds of foods makes their ulcers inflamed and painful. It can be helpful for seniors to have home care providers to help them prepare meals that won’t make their ulcers worse.

Seniors may not realize they have ulcers until the ulcer is already fully inflamed. Certain medications can contribute to the development of ulcers. So can the diet that your senior parent eats.

If your senior parent or their home care provider starts to notice any of these symptoms of ulcers it’s time for your senior parent to get their condition checked out:

Home Care Farmington Hills MI - Symptoms of Ulcers Seniors Should Know

Home Care Farmington Hills MI – Symptoms of Ulcers Seniors Should Know

Burning Pain In The Stomach

One of the most common symptoms of an ulcer in the stomach is a burning sensation or a burning pain in the stomach after eating or drinking. If your senior parent is actively in pain they should see a doctor immediately. If the problem is an ulcer after the immediate pain has been handled your senior parent’s doctor can recommend a diet that won’t make the pain worse. They can also prescribe medication to help prevent infection and stop the pain.

Feeling Constantly Bloated

Feeling bloated can be caused by many different things. Sometimes feeling bloated is normal. There are lots of foods that can cause gas and bloating. But if your senior parent is feeling bloated or full and they haven’t eaten anything, or if they haven’t eaten any food known for causing float, then the problem could be an ulcer. Seniors who suspect that they may have an ulcer should avoid eating and get a medical checkup right away.

Chronic Heartburn

Just like bloating can have many causes so can chronic heartburn. Medications, dietary changes, and even stress can cause seniors to suffer tome heartburn. If a senior parent has some heartburn after eating pizza or spicy food that’s not unusual. But if your senior parent isn’t prone to heartburn and doesn’t have a history of it but starts to experience more frequent bouts of heartburn it’s a good idea to get them checked out to be sure the problem isn’t an ulcer.

Feeling Sick After Eating Fatty Foods

Another potential symptom of ulcers is feeling sick or nauseous after eating fatty foods. The body can’t process those foods very well and the process of breaking them down can contribute to the development of ulcers. Your senior parent should avoid fatty foods as a general rule for basic good health. But if they develop ulcers their doctor will probably insist that they stop eating fatty foods and start eating whole unprocessed foods to stay healthy. A diet that contains mostly plants, lean meats, and some unprocessed grains is a great way to keep ulcers from becoming a big problem.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Services in Farmington Hills MI please contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Health, LLC today. 734-259-4200

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