Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for an ulcer?

by Beth Larson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Proton pump inhibitors — also called PPIs — reduce stomach acid by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. These drugs include the prescription and over-the-counter medications omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix).

Medication

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.

Procedures

What causes a peptic ulcer?

  • long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin NIH external link and ibuprofen NIH external link
  • an infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori)
  • rare cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas —known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Nutrition

Up ahead, docs share all the things you should know about medicine for cramps and other remedies that might help put you out ... and GI bleeding or ulcers, says Dr. Cross. It’s one reason why you shouldn’t drink alcohol, another stomach irritant ...

How do you cure ulcers naturally?

How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal? Uncomplicated gastric ulcers usually take two or three months to heal. Duodenal ulcers tend to heal quicker than gastric ulcers. While most ulcers are capable of healing, an ulcer can come back if precautions aren’t taken. Stomach ulcer complications:

What are the causes of an ulcer and its cure?

What is the best cure for ulcers?

How long to heal a stomach ulcer?

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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.

How do you instantly cure an ulcer?

People can relieve these symptoms using the following home remedies:Probiotics. Share on Pinterest Yogurts contain probiotics that help restore balance to the bacteria in the digestive tract. ... Ginger. ... Colorful fruits. ... Plantain bananas. ... Honey. ... Turmeric. ... Chamomile. ... Garlic.More items...

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.

Is Pepto Bismol good for ulcers?

Antacids. These agents, purchased over the counter, can be used for relief of peptic ulcer symptoms. Except for bismuth (Pepto Bismol),which actually is used as one of the treatment programs, they do not help heal ulcers.

How do you calm an ulcer pain?

In general, people with ulcers should use acetaminophen for over-the-counter pain relief. Unless your doctor has said it's OK, you should not use aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium. If acetaminophen doesn't help with your pain, see your doctor.

What drink is good for ulcers?

This is why it's a good idea to give up coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, alcohol, and citrus fruit juices until the ulcer is healed. All of these are acidic or can increase stomach acid. Plain water is the best choice.

When should you go to the hospital for an ulcer?

Call your doctor right away if you have sharp stomach pain, you're sweating a lot or feeling confused, or your stomach feels hard to the touch. These could be signs of a serious ulcer complication that needs immediate medical help.

Does an ulcer affect bowel movements?

These sores can be caused by several conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and constipation. If you have a rectal ulcer, you may see blood in the stool, have rectal pain or experience painful bowel movements.

What is the best treatment for peptic ulcers?

Protectants. Protectants coat ulcers and protect them against acid and enzymes so that healing can occur. Doctors only prescribe one protectant— sucralfate (Carafate) —for peptic ulcer disease. Tell your doctor if the medicines make you feel sick or dizzy or cause diarrhea or headaches.

How to prevent peptic ulcers?

To help prevent a peptic ulcer caused by NSAIDs, ask your doctor if you should. stop using NSAIDs. take NSAIDs with a meal if you still need NSAIDs. take a lower dose of NSAIDs. take medicines to protect your stomach and duodenum while taking NSAIDs. switch to a medicine that won’t cause ulcers.

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

When you have finished your medicines, your doctor may do another breath or stool test in 4 weeks or more to be sure the H. pylori infection is gone.

What to do if you have a peptic ulcer and you don't have an H. p

If NSAIDs are causing your peptic ulcer and you don’t have an H. pylori infection, your doctor may tell you to. stop taking the NSAID. reduce how much of the NSAID you take. switch to another medicine that won’t cause a peptic ulcer.

What is the best treatment for H. pylori?

pylori infection, a doctor will treat your NSAID-induced peptic ulcer with PPIs or histamine receptor blockers and other medicines, such as antibiotics, bismuth subsalicylates, or antacids. PPIs reduce stomach acid and protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum.

Does antacid help with peptic ulcers?

Antacids. An antacid may make the pain from a peptic ulcer go away temporarily, yet it will not kill H. pylori. If you receive treatment for an H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer, check with your doctor before taking antacids. Some of the antibiotics may not work as well if you take them with an antacid.

Can antibiotics help with peptic ulcers?

Antibiotics can cure most peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori or H. pylori -induced peptic ulcers. However, getting rid of the bacteria can be difficult. Take all doses of your antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribes, even if the pain from a peptic ulcer is gone.

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.

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.

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 antibiotics kill H pylori?

If H. pylori is found in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacterium. These may include amoxicillin (Amoxil), clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), tetracycline and levofloxacin.

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).

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.

What are the different types of ulcers?

TYPES OF ULCERS are: PEPTIC ULCERS: These develop on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine or esophagus. They form when digestive juices damage the lining of the stomach or intestine.

What is the test done to see if a person has an ulcer?

A blood test is done to analyze whether it contains antibodies to H.pylori which is nowadays replaced by stool antigen test. Gastroscopy. This is done to look inside the stomach directly and detect whether or not it contains an ulcer.

Why do duodenal ulcers develop in O blood groups?

This is because people of this blood group are unable to produce certain substances on the surface of blood cells that protect the lining of the duodenum.

What is the difference between a duodenal ulcer and an esophageal ulcer?

Ulcers are breaks or holes in the protective lining of the stomach or duodenum. Duodenal ulcers are more common than stomach ulcers. Comparatively rare, esophageal ulcers, which forms in the esophagus ( swallowing tube) are often the result of alcohol abuse or exposure to medications like certain anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

What are the complications of a stomach ulcer?

Some of the complications of stomach ulcers are as follows: INTERNAL BLEEDING: It is the most common problem which occurs when the ulcer forms at the site of a blood vessel. Bleeding can either be slow and long-term leading to anemia or rapid and severe causing a person to pass blood in vomit or stools.

Why do I have ulcers on my stomach?

Causes of ulcers are as follows: Stomach Ulcers are more likely to develop in people having a sedentary lifestyle or poor eating habits. Oesophageal ulcers often result from exposure to medications such as certain antibiotics or anti-inflammatories and alcohol abuse.

What are the symptoms of an inflamed stomach ulcer?

Symptoms are: Repeated vomiting with large particles of undigested food particles. Persistent feeling of bloating or fullness.

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.

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 does it mean when you have a slow bleeding ulcer?

A slow-bleeding ulcer can be signaled by symptoms of anemia, such as being tired and breathless. More serious bleeding is an urgent medical problem and can be signaled if blood is vomited up, or stools are black and sticky. Perforation, or a hole in the stomach, is also an emergency.

Which NSAIDs are best for ulcers?

The two best-known NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen. The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses, or regularly for a long time. Stronger NSAIDs, such as those that need a prescription, are riskier for stomach ulcers than those that can be bought over-the-counter (OTC).

Can an ulcer in the stomach be cured?

in Western countries will have an ulcer in the stomach or small intestine at some point in their lives. Stomach ulcers are relatively easy to cure, but they can cause significant problems if left untreated. Having a support system that’s been there and understands is important.

What is the best way to treat ulcers?

is a powerful antibacterial and has been shown to inhibit H. pylori growth. As long as you have normal blood sugar levels, you can enjoy honey as you would any sweetener, with the bonus of perhaps soothing your ulcers.

How to get rid of stomach ulcers?

Adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet and reducing alcohol intake will almost certainly get you on the road to health. Be Vigilant. Stomach ulcers don’t stop at abdominal pain. If left untreated, they can create a hole in the stomach, which requires surgery.

Why do I have a stomach ulcer?

They are a type of peptic ulcer, meaning having to do with acid. Because of the amount of acid present in the stomach and the damage that can occur, they are often extremely painful. The most common cause of stomach ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. Ulcers may also be caused by overuse of painkillers, ...

What foods are good for stomach ulcers?

Foods and drinks rich in flavonoids include: soybeans. legumes. red grapes. kale. broccoli. apples.

What are some natural remedies for stomach ulcers?

Talk with your doctor about adding these foods to your diet: 1. Flavonoids.

Can you take probiotics with ulcers?

Studies have shown that probiotics may be helpful in wiping out H. pylori and increasing the recovery rate. Trusted Source. for people with ulcers when added to the traditional regimen of antibiotics.

Does cranberry help with urinary tract infections?

Cranberry has been shown in some studies#N#Trusted Source#N#to help decrease urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from settling on the walls of the bladder. Cranberry and cranberry extract also may help fight H. pylori#N#Trusted Source#N#.

What is skin ulcer?

Skin ulcers definition. A skin ulcer is an open sore caused by poor blood flow. Good blood flow is necessary for wound healing. But if you have blood circulation problems, minor injuries can’t heal properly. Over time, an injury can turn into a skin ulcer. If an ulcer becomes infected, it should be treated quickly.

How to diagnose skin ulcers?

This might include: Medical history. This information can help your doctor better understand your symptoms. Physical exam. Your doctor will examine the size and depth of your sore, and look for blood, fluid, or pus. Blood test.

Why do ulcers develop on the legs?

They develop when blood can’t flow to an injury. Causes of poor blood flow include diabetes, atherosclerosis, pressure, and vein problems. Typically, skin ulcers affect the legs, but they can occur on the feet, hips, and back. Treatment depends on your ulcer and overall health.

What causes a venous ulcer in the leg?

Venous skin ulcers. Venous skin ulcers are caused by poor blood circulation in the leg veins. They usually affect the leg between the knee and ankle. About 80 to 90 percent of all leg ulcers are venous leg ulcers.

How to tell if you have a skin ulcer?

The outer border might be raised and thick. In the early stages, you’ll notice skin discoloration in the area. It might look red and feel warm. If you have a darker skin tone, it may look shiny or blue.

What is a decubitus ulcer?

Decubitus (pressure) ulcers. Decubitus ul c ers are caused by continuous pressure or friction on the skin. They’re also called pressure ulcers and pressure sores. These ulcers often develop on bony areas, because the bones place extra pressure on the skin.

How to reduce swelling in leg?

Saline solution. If you have a mild skin ulcer, you can clean it with sterile salt water called saline. If your ulcer is severe, a wound-care nurse should do it instead.

What are the best pain relievers for ulcers?

For people with ulcers, the risky pain relievers are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. They include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen, the active ingredients in medicines such as Bufferin, Advil, and Aleve. Other pain relievers may be less dangerous.

What are some examples of ulcers?

Examples include OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin. These drugs are reserved for people with severe pain. They generally pose less of a risk for people with ulcers. They do have other side effects, including constipation, fatigue, and a risk of addiction.

What to do if you have an ulcer and you have a headache?

If you have an ulcer, what should you do the next time you have a headache? In general, people with ulcers should use acetaminophen for over-the-counter pain relief. Unless your doctor has said it's OK, you should not use aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium.

Can you take aspirin with ulcers?

If possible, people who have ulcers should avoid it. Even at very low doses, aspirin can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as heartburn, upset stomach, or pain. Coated or "buffered" aspirin does not decrease these risks. Over time, ulcers can cause swelling and a build-up of scar tissue.

Does aspirin help with fever?

It eases pain and lowers fevers. It can also reduce inflammation, which means that it can treat the symptom (pain) and sometimes the cause (swelling.) Aspirin also lowers the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes, particularly in people at high risk of these problems.

Do painkillers work?

As a result, they increase the pain you feel. Painkillers work by blocking the effects of these pain chemicals. The problem is that you can't focus most pain relievers specifically on your headache or bad back. Instead, it travels through your whole body.

Can over the counter painkillers cause ulcers?

Everyday Pain Relief: Ulcers. Many familiar over-the-counter pain relief drugs can cause harmful side effects for those with ulcers. Here's what you need to know. We tend to think of over-the-counter painkillers as perfectly safe.

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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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