Do I have ulcers?

What you need to know:

I always feel some kind of tightness in my chest. I mostly feel it when I stand up and I get so weak that I have to sit down. When I sought medical attention, nothing was diagnosed. Someone told me it could be ulcers; how true can this be?

-Worried reader

Dear reader: Chest tightness or pain can be caused by a heart disease, cough, allergy, asthma, stress and anxiety. In most cases, doctors perform tests to rule out a heart disease before looking at other possible causes.

Stress or anxiety causes the body to release stress hormones (cortisol), which causes a number of changes in the body that prepare us for immediate action when we’re in danger.

These changes are commonly referred to as the flight or fight response. One of these changes causes muscles in the body to contract and tighten. This tightness is an attempt to protect the body from harm.

Because there are many muscles in the chest, stomach, rib cage, neck, and throat areas, these muscles can experience tightness, too.

As our anxiety increases, so do these changes. The more anxious you are, the tighter these muscles become. This muscle tightness can lead to pronounced muscle tension and pain, including the muscles in the chest and nearby areas.

Exercise can help you relax. Also, try to control your stress as this leads to release of ‘feel good’ hormones, which also counteract the effects of anxiety.

An ulcer is a wound found in the acidic areas of the alimentary canal ie stomach, duodenum (outlet to the stomach), lower oesophagus (inlet to the stomach); they are called peptic ulcers. Ulcers can be caused by stress, genetic factors resulting in excessive stomach acid production, and bad lifestyle habits (overindulging in fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco).

The increased production of stomach acids can erode the stomach lining resulting in the ulcers.

While excessive stomach acid secretion plays a role in the development of ulcers, the majority of them are caused by a germ infection (Helicobacter Pylori). Other major causes are painkiller drugs such as Aspirin, brufen or Diclofenac.
You need to seek medical attention.