Treatment FAQ

what is treatment for ulcer

by Marisol Haag Jr. Published 3 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

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

  • cauliflower
  • cabbage
  • radishes
  • apples
  • blueberries
  • raspberries
  • blackberries
  • strawberries
  • cherries
  • bell peppers

More items...

Nutrition

Top foods to avoid with ulcers

  • Limit anti-inflammatory medicines. The use of aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs can increase your chances of developing ulcers ( 7 ).
  • Avoid spicy and fatty foods to prevent ulcers. ...
  • Avoid foods that are acidic. ...
  • Limit consumption of caffeine. ...
  • Quit drinking alcohol. ...
  • Avoid smoking. ...
  • Limit eating too much chocolate. ...

What is the best natural remedy for ulcers?

Over-the-counter medications that treat ulcers are available at your local drug store. Antacids, digestive tract-fortifying medicines like Pepto-Bismol, and topical creams are available, along with other medications that may help relieve pain and hasten the healing process. However, although OTC drugs like antacids can reduce the pain caused by an ulcer, do not consider it a replacement for seeking medical attention if it is necessary.

What do you do to help with ulcers?

What foods to avoid when you have an ulcer?

What over the counter medicine for ulcers?

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What is the main treatment of 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.

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 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.

How do u know if you have ulcers?

The classic symptoms of peptic ulcers are stomach pain and indigestion. Ulcer pain feels like burning or gnawing inside your stomach, which is between your breastbone and your belly button. It may improve temporarily when you eat or drink or when you take an antacid, medication to reduce stomach acid.

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 arterial ulcers?

Treatment for arterial ulcers depends on the underlying cause. Primary treatment includes restoring blood circulation to the affected area. While antibiotics may help reduce symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to increase blood flow to your tissues and organs.

What is an ulcer?

An ulcer is a painful sore that is slow to heal and sometimes recurs. Ulcers aren’t uncommon. How they appear and corresponding symptoms depend on what caused them and where they occur on your body. Ulcers can appear anywhere in or on your body, from the lining in your stomach to the outer layer of your skin.

What to do if you have a H pylori infection?

If you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria. If your ulcers formed as a result of prolonged use of painkillers or medication, your doctor may prescribe medication that reduces your stomach acid or protectively coats your stomach to prevent acid damage.

What are the different types of peptic ulcers?

There are three types of peptic ulcers: gastric ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the stomach lining. esophageal ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the esophagus. duodenal ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the duodenum ( small intestine) The most common symptom of this condition is a burning pain. Other symptoms may include:

Why do I have ulcers in my stomach?

They form when digestive juices damage the walls of your stomach or intestine. Peptic ulcers are most often caused from inflammation after being infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and long-term use of painkillers.

What is an ischemic ulcer?

Arterial (ischemic) ulcers are open sores that primarily develop on the outer side of your ankle, feet, toes, and heels. Arterial ulcers develop from damage to the arteries due to lack of blood flow to tissue.

How long does a mouth ulcer last?

Other serious symptoms associated with this type of ulcer may include: unusually slow healing (lasting longer than three weeks) ulcers that extend to your lips.

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.

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 upper gastrointestinal series?

Sometimes called a barium swallow, this series of X-rays of your upper digestive system creates images of your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. During the X-ray, you swallow a white liquid (containing barium) that coats your digestive tract and makes an ulcer more visible.

How to treat peptic ulcers?

Peptic Ulcer Disease Treatment: Medication. Several different medication therapies are available to help reduce gastric acid and coat the ulcers: Antacids neutralize gastric acid. The disadvantage is that you need to take a relatively large dose for them to be effective, and they can cause unwanted side effects like diarrhea.

What causes peptic ulcers?

Peptic ulcers are often caused by an overproduction of gastric acid. Many treatment options focus on reducing or suppressing gastric acid production. If your doctor determines that you have an H. pylori infection, you will need treatment for that as well.

What is the term for a bleed that occurs when the stomach wall is swollen?

Hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) Perforation/penetration, due to the ulcer burning through the stomach wall. Gastric outlet obstruction, or pyloric stenosis, occurs when the pylorus narrows. The pylorus is the opening from the stomach into the small intestine.

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 causes ulcers in the stomach?

These types of ulcers are caused primarily by three things: Stomach acids, H. pylori infections and medications, such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®).

Does stress cause ulcers?

Contrary to popular belief, the normal stress of day-to-day life does not cause or contribute to ulcers. Also, there’s no genetic link involved with the risk for developing ulcers, and diet has no effect on the healing of an ulcer either. Advertising Policy. — Gastroenterologist Michael Kirsch, MD.

Can peptic ulcers heal?

A: If you have peptic ulcer disease, which can involve stomach ulcers and/or duodenal ulcers of the small intestine, the answer is yes! These ulcers can be completely healed. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

What is the best food for ulcers?

Garlic. Garlic is another food with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Animal studies observe that garlic extracts may speed up recovery from ulcers and even reduce the likelihood of them developing in the first place ( 6, 23.

How long does aloe vera help with ulcers?

). In another study, taking antibiotics with 1.4 mg/pound (3 mg/kg) of aloe vera daily for six weeks was as effective as the conventional treatment at healing ulcers and reducing H. pylori levels ( 52 ).

What foods should I avoid with ulcers?

Those trying to heal their stomach ulcers or avoid developing them should consider minimizing their intake of the following foods ( 56 ): 1 Milk: Although once recommended to help reduce stomach acidity and relieve pain, new research shows milk increases the secretion of stomach acid and should be avoided by those with ulcers ( 56 ). 2 Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can cause damage to the stomach and digestive tract, increasing the likelihood of ulcers ( 57, 58 ). 3 Coffee and soft drinks: Coffee and soft drinks, even if they’re decaf, can increase production of stomach acid, which can irritate the stomach lining ( 59 ). 4 Spicy and fatty foods: Extremely spicy or fatty foods can create feelings of irritation in some people. Chili peppers are an exception, based on personal tolerance ( 60 ).

What causes ulcers in the stomach?

Trusted Source. ). Various factors that disrupt the balance your stomach’s environment can cause them. The most common is an infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria ( 2.

Why do I get headaches after taking anti-ulcer medication?

Other common causes include stress, smoking, excess alcohol consumption and the overuse of anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Conventional anti-ulcer treatment typically relies on medications that can cause negative side effects like headaches and diarrhea.

Does cabbage help with ulcers?

Cabbage is a popular natural ulcer remedy. Doctors reportedly used it decades before antibiotics were available to help heal stomach ulcers. It’s rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant shown to help prevent and treat H. pylori infections. These infections are the most common cause of stomach ulcers ( 3.

Can eating chili peppers cause ulcers?

Chili Peppers. There’s a popular notion among people suffering from ulcers that eating chili peppers too often or in large quantities may cause stomach ulcers. In fact, people suffering from ulcers are often advised to limit their consumption of chili peppers or to avoid them completely.

What is the best treatment for ulcerative colitis?

Anti-inflammatory drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first step in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and are appropriate for the majority of people with this condition. These drugs include: 5-aminosalicylates.

What is the only way to diagnose ulcerative colitis?

Endoscopic procedures with tissue biopsy are the only way to definitively diagnose ulcerative colitis. Other types of tests can help rule out complications or other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease.

What is the name of the drug that neutralizes the immune system?

Infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira) and golimumab (Simponi). These drugs, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, or biologics, work by neutralizing a protein produced by your immune system. They are for people with severe ulcerative colitis who don't respond to or can't tolerate other treatments.

What is the procedure to remove a colon and rectum?

In most cases, this involves a procedure called ileoanal anastomosis (J-pouch) surgery. This procedure eliminates the need to wear a bag to collect stool.

What is the procedure to see your colon?

Colonoscopy. This exam allows your doctor to view your entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera on the end. During the procedure, your doctor can also take small samples of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory analysis. A tissue sample is necessary to make the diagnosis.

Which immunosuppressant is best for inflammatory bowel disease?

For some people, a combination of these drugs works better than one drug alone. Immunosuppressant drugs include: Azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) and mercaptopurine (Purinet hol, Purixan ). These are the most widely used immunosuppressants for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

What does it mean when you have a white blood cell in your stool?

Stool studies. White blood cells or certain proteins in your stool can indicate ulcerative colitis.

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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.

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