could i have ulcers?

Question

ok so for the past 4-6mnths ive experience gag reflexes everytime i finish eating it wont stop until the mouth of the stomach(the top part)opens i literally feel it open i used to eat qalot big homemade meal then my diet changed when i started working all i ate was chips and a coke and some hotpockets almost evryday then i would eat big meals on my days off and now even when i eat a burger i get the gag reflex
my coworker sayd it might be a stomach ulcer how will i know how much would the procedure be to get checked and hat can i do to minimize the risk

Answer 1

Sounds like a diet, greasy food "hot pockets, burgers, chips everday" would cause them. If you smoke or drink that adds to the problem. p

Answer 2

It sounds like either a hiatal hernia or GERD.

Your diet sounds pretty awful. What you should do is try eating frequent small meals for the next week. Don't eat greasy, heavy foods like hamburgers or pizza or other stuff like that. Cut way down on red meat. Eat whole grains, fruits, lean meats like turkey, steamed veggies. Drink plenty of fluids in between meals. Do not gorge yourself, chew your food well, and don't eat until you're stuffed. Sleep with the head of your bed slightly elevated; maybe put the bed up on some wood blocks, or at least put something under the top part of your mattress to raise it up so you're not sleeping flat. Don't eat for at least 2 hours before bedtime. Absolutely NO alcohol, no carbonated drinks, no caffeine, and if you smoke try to stop smoking at least for that time period. You might even take a Tums or mylanta at bedtime to reduce stomach acids.

If after a week of that you don't feel some relief, or if the problem gets worse in that time frame, go see the doc. I don't know the cost to have a scope done; if you have insurance it will be covered. If you don't have insurance, hopefully your doctor can work with you. Try those preventative measures first and see what happens. Stick with them faithfully. Then you will be able to tell the doc what you tried and what didn't work. That will eliminate some of the guessing and testing. Good luck!

Answer 3

Ulcers usually cause more pain than gagging. It could be a hiatus hernia or many other things...........worst case a tumor. You need to see a gastroenterologist and have a GI scope done. Yes it costs some money, but what's it going to cost you if you can't work, can't function.

Try eating small meals several times a day instead of big meals. Avoid big meals altogether. You will get used to not eating larger portions after a bit and the "hungry" feeling will stop.

Don't wait too long to see a doctor. If it is a tumor you need to take action. If it is a hernia or an ulcer you need to take action as well because they can lead to gastric reflux, bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, septicemia.........the whole ball of wax. If you let it get that far you will wish you had taken care of it much earlier. Good luck.

Answer 4

Processed foods can really play havic on a stomach as well as make the skin look terrible. I don't know if you have an ulcer but possibly acid reflux. It is common and can be treated - as can ulcers. On top of the issue you are scaring yourself in the thought of 'what it could be'. Don't guess. If you cannot afford a doctor visit go to your local free clinic or talk to a pharmacist. Don't play with your health. Start tomorrow making better choices in food ... and start drinking water - at least eight glasses a day.

Answer 5

Sounds like GERD. Ulcers hurt and bleed. I would go to the doctor and have him give you something like Prevacid.