Treatment FAQ

what is hte medical treatment for stomach ulcers

by Roel Schowalter Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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PPIs work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces, preventing further damage to the ulcer as it heals naturally. They're usually prescribed for 4 to 8 weeks. Omeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole are the PPIs most commonly used to treat stomach ulcers.

Medication

Ten evidence-based remedies for stomach ulcers

  1. Probiotics. Yogurts contain probiotics that help restore balance to the bacteria in the digestive tract. ...
  2. Ginger. Many people think that ginger has gastroprotective effects. ...
  3. Colorful fruits. Many fruits contain compounds called flavonoids, which are polyphenols. ...
  4. Plantain bananas. ...
  5. Honey. ...
  6. Turmeric. ...
  7. Chamomile. ...
  8. Garlic. ...
  9. Licorice. ...
  10. Aloe vera. ...

Procedures

What to Eat & Not to Eat When You Have an Ulcer

  • The Ulcer Diet Myth. Historically, ulcers were thought to be caused by stress or spicy foods, and a bland diet was a common treatment.
  • Irritating Foods. Alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated beverages may be irritating to the stomach, although these beverages may not cause problems if consumed moderately or along with food.
  • Beneficial Foods. ...
  • Warnings. ...

Nutrition

What You Have To Do

  • Mix the water and baking soda to form a paste.
  • Apply this on the mouth ulcers using your fingers. Let it dry for a few minutes.
  • Rinse your mouth with water and gargle.

What is the best natural remedy for stomach ulcers?

Symptoms can include:

  • repeated episodes of vomiting, with large amounts of vomit that contain undigested food
  • a persistent feeling of bloating or fullness
  • feeling very full after eating less food than usual
  • unexplained weight loss

What should you not eat with an ulcer?

How do you cure ulcers naturally?

What happens if a stomach ulcer is untreated?

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What can stomach ulcers be treated with?

How are stomach ulcers treated?Antibiotics. If H. ... Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs help reduce stomach acid and protect your stomach lining. ... Histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers). ... Antacids. ... Cytoprotective agents. ... Bismuth Subsalicylate.

How do doctors remove stomach ulcers?

Your surgery may include resection of your ulcer and attaching your stomach opening to the opening of your small intestine, surgically closing a newly created opening in your stomach, or suturing healthy tissue to patch your ulcer.

Can Stomach Ulcer be treated completely?

These ulcers can be completely healed. The development of H2 blockers (Pepcid®, Tagamet®, Axid®) and then Proton Pump Inhibitors (Prilosec®, Prevacid®, Nexium®, Aciphex®, Dexilant®, Zegerid®, and Protonix®) allow for most ulcers to be completely healed with medication.

What are the warning signs of an ulcer?

Here are the top five signs you may have an ulcer:Dull, burning pain. The most common sign of a stomach ulcer is dull, burning pain in the stomach area. ... Indigestion or heartburn. ... Nausea or vomiting. ... Change in stool color. ... Unexplained weight loss.

What is the fastest way to cure a stomach ulcer?

TreatmentAntibiotic medications to kill H. pylori. ... Medications that block acid production and promote healing. ... Medications to reduce acid production. ... Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. ... Medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine.

How do you detect a stomach ulcer?

Gastroscopy. This is a test to look inside your stomach directly and see whether you have a stomach ulcer. It involves passing a thin, flexible tube (an endoscope) with a camera through into your stomach and the 1st section of the small intestine (duodenum).

How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal?

Uncomplicated gastric ulcers take up to two or three months to heal completely. Duodenal ulcers take about six weeks to heal. An ulcer can temporarily heal without antibiotics. But it is common for an ulcer to recur or for another ulcer to form nearby, if the bacteria are not killed.

What causes stomach ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are usually caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, or from taking anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

What is the best way to treat a stomach ulcer?

Fiber: Diets high in soluble dietary fiber reduce the risk of developing stomach ulcers. Probiotics: Food that contains active bacterial content, such as probiotic yogurt, can help to reduce a Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection.

How to treat a stomach ulcer?

Once the cause has been removed, the symptoms of stomach ulcers can be treated by protecting the ulcer from acid while it heals. Drugs a doctor could prescribe include: proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block acid-producing cells. H2-receptor antagonists, which prevent the stomach from producing excess acid.

What are the symptoms of a stomach ulcer?

Symptoms. Pain is the main symptom of a stomach ulcer, either around the stomach or slightly higher up. The classic symptom of a stomach ulcer is indigestion, also called dyspepsia. Indigestion causes pain or discomfort in the stomach area. This symptom can be mistaken for heartburn, which can occur at the same time.

How many people have ulcers in their stomach?

An estimated one in every ten people in Western countries will have an ulcer in the stomach or small intestine at some point in their lives.

How do doctors know if you have a stomach ulcer?

Doctors follow the symptoms of a stomach ulcer by asking questions about how the pain feels, where and when it happens, and how frequent and long-lasting it has been.

Where do stomach ulcers form?

Stomach ulcers are one type of peptic ulcers. There are two other types: Esophageal and duodenal ulcers. Esophageal ulcers form inside the esophagus, and duodenal ulcers occur in the uppermost part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum.

What is the IBD Healthline app?

IBD Healthline is a free app for people that have faced conditions that can cause stomach ulcers. The app is available on the AppStore and Google Play. Download here: https://go.onelink.me/LOC7/ebe34bcc.

What is the best medicine for stomach ulcers?

They block a natural chemical called histamine, which tells your stomach to make acid. H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac). Bismuth. This medication covers the ulcer and protects it from stomach acid. It can also help kill H. pylori infections.

What to do if you have an ulcer?

If you have an ulcer, be careful when choosing over-the-counter pain relievers. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can irritate an ulcer and prevent a bleeding ulcer from healing. Avoid powdered headache medication, too.

What is the best treatment for a pylori ulcer?

Antibiotics. If your ulcer is caused by H. pylori bacteria, antibiotics can cure the ulcer. Usually, the doctor will prescribe triple or quadruple therapy, which combines several antibiotics with heartburn drugs. Triple therapy combines two antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, with a proton pump inhibitor.

What is the goal of ulcer treatment?

The chief goals of ulcer treatment are reducing the amount of acid in the stomach and strengthening the protective lining that comes in direct contact with stomach acids. If your ulcer is caused by bacterial infection, your doctor will also treat that.

How to test for ulcers in the GI tract?

Barium swallow. If you can't have an endoscopy, this test, also called an upper GI series of X-rays, can help your doctor identify and locate the ulcer and determine its type and severity. The test requires you to drink a "barium milkshake," which has a liquid that will show up on an X-ray. They may ask you to eat only bland, easy-to-digest foods for 2-3 days before the test. After drinking the chalky liquid, you lie down on a tilting exam table. This evenly spreads the barium around your upper digestive tract and lets the X-ray take pictures at different angles.

What is the most accurate test for peptic ulcers?

Endoscopy. This is the most accurate diagnostic test to diagnose a peptic ulcer. The doctor puts a flexible tube down your throat to see inside your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach), stomach, and duodenum. This allows the doctor to see the cause of bleeding and test for any bacterial infection.

How to heal a bleeding ulcer?

Ask the doctor how much iron you need. Learn how to manage stress. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery, and moderate exercise can help ease stress and promote healing.

What is the best medicine for stomach ulcers?

Available by prescription or over the counter, acid blockers include the medications famotidine (Pep cid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR).

How to get rid of stomach ulcers?

Lifestyle and home remedies. You may find relief from the pain of a stomach ulcer if you: Consider switching pain relievers. If you use pain relievers regularly, ask your doctor whether acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be an option for you. Control stress.

How to treat peptic ulcers?

Treatment for peptic ulcers depends on the cause. Usually treatment will involve killing the H. pylori bacterium if present, eliminating or reducing use of NSAIDs if possible, and helping your ulcer to heal with medication. Medications can include: Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori.

Why does my peptic ulcer not heal?

There are many reasons why an ulcer may fail to heal, including: Not taking medications according to directions. The fact that some types of H. pylori are resistant to antibiotics.

What is the procedure to check for ulcers?

Endoscopy. Endoscopy. An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine (duodenum). To detect an ulcer, your doctor may first take ...

What is the best way to find out if you have H pylori?

Using the endoscope, your doctor looks for ulcers. If your doctor detects an ulcer, a small tissue sample (biopsy) may be removed for examination in a lab. A biopsy can also identify whether H. pylori is in your stomach lining.

How to detect ulcers?

To detect an ulcer, your doctor may first take a medical history and perform a physical exam. You then may need to undergo diagnostic tests, such as: Laboratory tests for H. pylori. Your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether the bacterium H. pylori is present in your body.

What is the best treatment for a stomach ulcer?

pylori) bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics and a medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is recommended.

What is the medicine that is used to protect the stomach?

Some antacids also contain a medicine called an alginate, which produces a protective coating on the lining of your stomach.

What is the most widely used H2 receptor antagonist for treating stomach ulcers?

Ranitidine is the most widely used H2-receptor antagonist for treating stomach ulcers.

How long does it take for a gastroscopy to heal?

You may have a repeat gastroscopy after 4 to 6 weeks to check that the ulcer has healed. There aren't any special lifestyle measures you need to take during treatment, but avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals.

What is a Stomach Ulcer?

It is the painful soreness a person experiences in his stomach lining. Sometimes the soreness feels so acute and near the heart that it might feel like heartburn.

Why do ulcers get worse?

These factors are: Smoking: Excessive or regular smoking can worsen the ulcer if it is caused by the bacterium. Drinking Alcohol: Alcohol damages and dilutes the mucous layer inside the stomach.

Can you take medication for ulcers?

Depending on the intensity and cause of the ulcer, doctors can prescribe surgical or non-surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatments involve taking medications and bringing change to one's dietary habits. Both are effective when the ulcer is in its rudimentary phase or caused by bacteria.

Is it better to prevent ulcers or cure them?

Like all the other diseases, it's also true for ulcers that prevention is better than cure. Maintaining a disciplined life and a healthy diet can keep anyone from having issues that emerged from stomach ulcers. Once detected, it shouldn't be neglected, and patients must consider consulting a doctor.

How to treat a stomach ulcer?

Generally, the condition can be effectively treated with medication and lifestyle changes, rather than with surgical intervention. Smoking and alcohol use can contribute to stomach ulcers, and stopping these habits can help an ulcer heal. 6  Sometimes dietary modifications, like avoiding spicy foods, can help control symptoms.

What Is Stomach Ulcer Surgery?

Peptic ulcer surgery is an operation for repair of stomach damage that's caused by an ulcer. A stomach ulcer is an erosion on the inside of the stomach lining, and it is also referred to as a peptic ulcer or a gastric ulcer. It can develop slowly, and you may have more than one at a time.

How big is the incision for peptic ulcer surgery?

For an open peptic ulcer surgery, your surgeon will make an incision that measures three to six inches. They will also cut through your peritoneum and into your stomach, near your peptic ulcer.

What is a partial gastrectomy?

With a partial gastrectomy, a small region of the stomach is cut away as the gastric ulcer is removed. This procedure is used when the ulcer is large and deep.

What is the endoscope used for?

Surgical tools that are inserted through the endoscopic device will be used to treat and control ulcer bleeding. Various tools, including clips, electric cautery, and injectable agents, are used to stop bleeding and prevent recurrent bleeding. When the treatment is complete, the endoscope is removed.

What happens if you have a perforated ulcer?

1  A perforated ulcer causes sudden, severe stomach pain, and it can result in a fever, profuse bleeding, dangerous blood chemistry abnormalities, and loss of consciousness.

Why do you need antacids?

You may need to take antacid medication if you have problems with stomach upset or heartburn. Sometimes taking medication can prevent another ulcer from developing, and your doctor will advise you about this based on your risk of developing another ulcer.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Karthikeya T M
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
The treatment aims at reducing acid content in the stomach and involves use of antibiotics in case of bacterial infection.
Medication

Antibiotics: Given in case of infection by bacteria such as H. pylori.

Amoxicillin . Clarithromycin . Metronidazole . Tinidazole . Tetracycline . Levofloxacin


Proton pump inhibitors: With antibiotics additional medications should be used to reduce acid production.

Omeprazole . Lansoprazole . Rabeprazole . Esomeprazole . Pantoprazole

Procedures

Peptic ulcer surgery: Surgery is necessary in severe cases with bleeding, perforation or to remove obstructions.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Eat foods containing vitamin C
  • Vegetables rich in vitamins
  • Milk products should be consumed with caution as this can produce excess acid in the stomach

Foods to avoid:

  • Spicy foods may irritate the stomach
  • Alcohol

Specialist to consult

Gastroenterologist
Specializes in the digestive system and its disorders.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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