Ulcers, also sometimes called stomach ulcers, peptic ulcers, gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers, are sores or lesions in your stomach or the upper part of your small intestines. Ulcers develop when the acids that digest foods damage the stomach or intestinal walls. Once thought to be caused by stress, diet and lifestyle, scientists now know that most ulcers are caused by a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. Left untreated, most ulcers will continue to get worse.
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2See your doctor if you are having persistent or reoccurring stomach or abdominal pain, as these are usually the first symptoms of ulcers. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Your doctor will talk to you about the history of your symptoms and do a physical exam that includes examining your abdomen.
- The doctor may start you on medication to reduce stomach acidity before doing further testing if your symptoms are mild.
3Return to the doctor if blood is present in your bowel movements or vomit, or if your symptoms worsen or do not respond to the medication. Your doctor will order one of these tests:
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series: after drinking a chalky substance called barium, you will have x-rays taken to look for ulcers.
- Endoscopy: while you are under sedation, the doctor inserts a thin tube with a small camera at the end into your stomach by going down your throat and through your esophagus. The camera allows the doctor to see inside of your digestive track and tack a tissue sample.
- Blood test to check for antibodies to H. pylori.
- Stool test to look for the presence of H. pylori.
- Breath test, which checks your breath after you drink a substance called urea.
4Follow through with your doctor's recommended treatment if your tests confirm the presence of an ulcer. Most treatments involve either eliminating the cause of the ulcer and hoping it will go away, or removing it surgically.
- Usually an H. pylori infection is to blame, in which case the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to eradicate it.
- Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also cause ulcers. Avoid taking NSAIDS while you have an active ulcer, and for extended periods of times thereafter. If you need to take a NSAID, ask a doctor about your options; you might be able to take a NSAID along with an acid reducer.
- Surgery may be necessary if serious or life-threatening complications develop as a result of ulcers that go too long without treatment.
5Eat a high-fiber diet that contains a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce your chances of getting an ulcer and help existing ulcers heal.
6Eat and drink plenty of foods that contain flavonoids. Good sources include apples, celery, cranberries, juices from these fruits and vegetables, as well as some teas.
7Eliminate spicy foods from your diet if you find that your ulcer pain increases after eating them. Although doctors now believe that spicy foods do not cause ulcers, some people with ulcers do report that their symptoms worsen after eating them.
8Cut back on, or eliminate coffee, including decaffeinated, and carbonated beverages. All of these drinks contribute to stomach acidity and worsen ulcer symptoms.
9Avoid all alcohol until your ulcer is completely healed. Alcohol in moderation may be alright after all treatment has ended, but you should discuss it with your doctor before resuming drinking.
10Use over-the-counter antacids to control ulcer symptoms like indigestion and heartburn. Over the counter antacids choices include:
- Aluminum hydroxide, sold under the brand names AlternaGEL and Amphojel, among others.
- Magnesium hydroxide, marketed as Phillips' Milk of Magnesia.
- A mix of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, sold as Maalox, Mylanta and other brands.
- Calcium carbonate used in products such as Tums and Rolaids.
- Sodium bicarbonate products such as Alka-Seltzer, which you mix with water to make a fizzing solution.
- Another choice of medication to help alleviate discomfort with ulcers is Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) which can protect the lining of the stomach.
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- Stop smoking. Smoking increases the chances of ulcers developing and makes it more difficult for existing ones to heal.
- Antacids only provide temporary help for symptoms and will not cure ulcers. Some antacids may interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications, so talk to your doctor before taking them.
Recent edits by: Carlin Scott, Daniel Bauwens, Jack Pearce
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