After having to postpone shows earlier this year due to peptic ulcer disease, Bruce Springsteen has now fully recovered from the stomach ailment.
At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, Steven Van Zandt, one of The Boss’s bandmates from the E Street Band, spoke with USA Today about his recuperation.
Van Zandt remarked, “I have to tell you the truth—we had no idea how much pain he was in.” “When we discovered the severity of his illness, we were as shocked as everyone else.”
He disclosed that the “Born in the USA” singer had experienced discomfort for at least five performances as a result of the typical gastrointestinal ailment. Van Zandt remarked, “We were amazed to learn that.” “He is just a tough guy.”
Van Zandt stated that Springsteen was probably inspired to finish those concerts by the fervor of the crowd. “Many came to me after those shows (and said) they were the best shows they’ve ever seen,” he said.
Regarding Springsteen’s current condition, Van Zandt shared that his bandmate is “all good now” and that the group will “come back stronger than ever in March,” when they plan to return to the stage.
Peptic ulcer disease affects 4 million people worldwide each year, with up to 10% of the general population expected to experience it in their lifetime, studies have found.
The condition can be painful and lead to complications, but can be treated with medicines.
What is peptic ulcer disease?
A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. It’s often called a stomach ulcer. The acids that help digest food can cause this damage in some people, the National Library of Medicine explains.
Peptic ulcers are diagnosed using a scope, Dr. Scott Gabbard, a gastroenterologist with Cleveland Clinic, tells TODAY.com. Because most people with peptic ulcers, about 30%, don’t feel any pain, they’re usually discovered because a patient has blood in their stool, their blood counts are low, or they get a scope for an unrelated reason.
The major risks of untreated peptic ulcers are bleeding and, more rarely, a stomach perforation, where the ulcer creates a hole in the wall and can lead to a “surgical emergency,” Gabbard says.
What are the signs of an ulcerative stomach?
The most typical symptom, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is upper abdominal pain, which can occur anywhere from the belly button to the breastbone. It might come and go, and it might be searing or dull. Patients may also experience a “stabbing” sensation, according to Gabbard.
For some, eating causes the pain to go away; for others, eating causes the discomfort to go away when their stomach is empty.
