Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Can You Do For An Ulcer In Your Stomach

Must read

How Can My Doctor Diagnose My Stomach Ulcer

Stomach Ulcer | Nucleus Health

Depending on the availability and cost, following the test, your doctor may ask for

  • Antibody blood test
  • X-ray imaging by swallowing a barium dye
  • Examination by inserting a thin tube, which has a light and camera attached to it, through the incision made onto the stomach
  • A piece of stomach tissue removed by endoscopy and examined in the laboratory
  • What If A Peptic Ulcer Doesnt Heal

    Most often, medicines heal a peptic ulcer. If an H. pylori infection caused your peptic ulcer, you should finish all of your antibiotics and take any other medicines your doctor prescribes. The infection and peptic ulcer will heal only if you take all medicines as your doctor prescribes.

    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. Sometimes, H. pylori bacteria are still present, even after you have taken all the medicines correctly. If the infection is still present, your peptic ulcer could return or, rarely, stomach cancer could develop. Your doctor will prescribe different antibiotics to get rid of the infection and cure your peptic ulcer.

    How Should I Use This Medicine

    Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine works best if you take it on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor’s advice.

    Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

    Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

    NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

    Also Check: How To Treat Lip Ulcers

    What Is The Treatment For Peptic Ulcers

    The choice of treatment depends on whether or not the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori. Correct diagnosis is key to whether a treatment works or not. If the bacteria are the cause, treatment focuses on killing the infection. Regardless of whether the bacteria are the cause, reducing acid in the stomach is another important focus of treatment.

    The following treatments are recommended for ulcers:

    • Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs
    • Acid-blocking medications
    • Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum
    • Triple-therapy or dual-therapy regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori

    No single medication works to get rid of H pylori infection. Two combinations have been found that work well in most people.

    These treatments are generally given for two weeks.

    Once H pylori bacteria are eradicated from a persons digestive tract, usually it will not come back. The ulcers usually heal completely and do not return.

    Treatment for bleeding ulcers depends on the severity of blood loss and includes:

    It is important to remember that treatment may not work if the diagnosis is not correct. If the doctor diagnoses an ulcer, it is important to determine whether the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori.

    Things You Should Know

    8 Signs and Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer You Should Not Ignore ...
    • Go to your doctor if you’re experiencing bleeding ulcer symptoms like upper abdominal pain, nausea, and blood in your vomit or stool.
    • Your doctor will prescribe medication that blocks acid production to heal the ulcer. Take the medication as directed.
    • For serious bleeding ulcers, you may need to have a surgical procedure to close the ulcer and stop the bleeding.

    Recommended Reading: Best Thing For Stomach Ulcers

    How Do Pain Relief Drugs Work

    In a certain way, all pain is in your head. When we feel pain, it’s the result of an electrical signal being sent from the nerves in a part of your body to your brain.

    But the whole process isn’t electrical. When tissue is injured , the cells release certain chemicals in response. These chemicals cause inflammation and amplify the electrical signal coming from the nerves. 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. This can cause some unexpected side effects.

    What Triggers Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

    Stomach ulcers are irritated by stomach acid. Some people notice this irritation more after they eat, and some people notice it more on an empty stomach. There are also certain irritants that seem to make ulcer symptoms worse and make them more difficult to heal. Smoking and alcohol are the biggest ones.

    Also Check: Can You Treat Ulcerative Colitis

    If Your Ulcer Was Caused By An Anti

    If possible, you should stop taking the anti-inflammatory medicine. This allows the ulcer to heal. You will also normally be prescribed an acid-suppressing medicine for several weeks. This stops the stomach from making acid and allows the ulcer to heal. However, in many cases, the anti-inflammatory medicine is needed to ease symptoms of arthritis or other painful conditions, or aspirin is needed to protect against blood clots. In these situations, one option is to take an acid-suppressing medicine each day indefinitely. This reduces the amount of acid made by the stomach and greatly reduces the chance of an ulcer forming again.

    Q: Can An Ulcer Be Completely Cured

    How To Get Rid Of Stomach Ulcer? Dr.Berg On Peptic Ulcer Treatment

    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. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

    The development of H2 blockers and then Proton Pump Inhibitors allow for most ulcers to be completely healed with medication. With these treatment developments, surgery for peptic ulcer disease is seldom needed.

    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 and naproxen .

    Contrary to popular belief, the normal stress of day-to-day life does not cause or contribute to ulcers. Also, theres no genetic link involved with the risk for developing ulcers, and diet has no effect on the healing of an ulcer either.

    Recommended Reading: Infected Leg Ulcers In The Elderly

    Purpose Of Stomach Ulcer Surgery

    Peptic ulcers can cause pain, stomach discomfort, abdominal cramps, decreased appetite, hematemesis, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency anemia , and malnutrition.

    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. Sometimes dietary modifications, like avoiding spicy foods, can help control symptoms.

    Treatments for gastric ulcers include proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics to eradicateHelicobacter pylori, a bacteria that is commonly associated with stomach ulcers.

    Surgical management may be needed for complications of peptic ulcer disease or for treatment of a stomach ulcer that doesn’t improve despite conservative management.

    Issues that may warrant surgical intervention for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease include:

    These issues can cause persistent and serious health problems. Stomach ulcer surgery would be done to alleviate your symptoms and prevent consequences to your overall health.

    What Are The Symptoms Of A Peptic Ulcer Does It Cause Pain

    Ulcers do not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, a serious complication such as bleeding or a sudden, bad upper abdominal pain is the first sign of an ulcer.

    The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is abdominal pain.

    • The pain is usually in the upper middle part of the abdomen, above the belly button and below the breastbone.
    • The ulcer pain can feel like burning, or gnawing, and it may go through to the back.
    • Pain often comes several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty.
    • The pain is often worse at night and early morning.
    • It can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
    • The ulcer pain may be relieved by food, antacids, or vomiting.

    Other symptoms of peptic ulcers include the following:

    • Nausea
    • Loss of appetite
    • Loss of weight

    Severe ulcers may cause bleeding in the stomach or duodenum. Bleeding is sometimes the only symptom of an ulcer. This bleeding can be fast or slow. Fast bleeding reveals itself in one of the following ways:

    • Vomiting of blood or dark material that looks something like coffee grounds: This is an emergency and warrants an immediate visit to an emergency department.
    • Blood in the stool or black, tarry, sticky-looking stools

    Slow bleeding is often more difficult to detect, because it has no dramatic symptoms.

    • The usual result is low blood cell count .
    • The symptoms of anemia are tiredness , lack of energy , weakness, rapid heartbeat , and pale skin .

    Also Check: Quantitative Research On Pressure Ulcer Prevention

    What Treatments Can Relieve Ulcer Pain

    While over-the-counter medications can treat an upset stomach, they are generally not effective in treating ulcers. And taking over-the-counter painkillers could worsen the problem. That is why its better to see a doctor, who may combine several medications and therapies to relieve pain, cure the infection, and prevent it from worsening. Medications usually include:

    Your doctor may also recommend making lifestyle modifications, including:

    • Avoiding spicy and oily food

    Bleeding Peptic Ulcer: Treatment

    The Scary Side Of Stomach ulcer

    A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum . Your ulcer is bleeding or at high risk of bleeding. This means that you need treatment right away. Treatment can include medicines. It may also include a procedure such as endoscopy, angiography, or surgery. Your provider will work with you to decide which treatments are best for you. Read on to learn more about each type of treatment.

    Don’t Miss: Indian Recipes For Ulcerative Colitis Diet

    How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated

    With treatment, most stomach ulcers will heal within a month or two. The treatment recommended for you will depend on what caused the ulcer.

    Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the amount of acid their stomach produces and allow the ulcer to heal naturally.

    If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.

    If the ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and your doctor will discuss whether you should keep using NSAIDs.

    Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, may be recommended.

    Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.

    How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed

    Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath or stool for H. pylori. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines.

    Read Also: What Can I Eat When I Have Ulcerative Colitis

    Black Or Dark Colored Stool

    If you think you may have an ulcer, a good way to tell is to look at your stool. If you notice that when you use the restroom your stool is extremely dark in color, or even black, chances are you are right about what is ailing you. If this is the case, you should absolutely go to the hospital immediately.

    How Are Stomach Ulcers Treated

    The surprising cause of stomach ulcers – Rusha Modi

    Ulcers can heal if they are given a rest from the factors that created them. Healthcare providers treat uncomplicated ulcers with a combination of medicines to reduce stomach acid, coat and protect the ulcer during healing and kill any bacterial infection that may be involved. Medicines may include:

    • Antibiotics. If H. pylori was found in your digestive tract, your healthcare provider will prescribe some combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, based on your medical history and condition. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include tetracycline, metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin.
    • Proton pump inhibitors . These drugs help reduce stomach acid and protect your stomach lining. PPIs include esomeprazole,dexlansoprazole,lansoprazole, omeprazole,pantoprazole and rabeprazole.
    • Histamine receptor blockers . These reduce stomach acid by blocking the chemical that tells your body to produce it . H2 blockers include famotidine, cimetidine and nizatidine.
    • Antacids. These common over-the-counter medicines help to neutralize stomach acid. They may bring some symptom relief, but they arent enough to heal your ulcer. They also might interfere with some antibiotics.
    • Cytoprotective agents. These medicines help to coat and protect your stomach lining. They include sucralfate and misoprostol.
    • Bismuth Subsalicylate. This over-the-counter medicine, commonly found as Pepto-Bismol, can help coat and protect your ulcer from stomach acid.

    Recommended Reading: How Does Humira Work For Ulcerative Colitis

    Advice On Taking Nsaids

    If your stomach ulcer has been caused by taking NSAIDs, your GP will want to review your use of them.

    You may be advised to use an alternative painkiller not associated with stomach ulcers, such as paracetamol.

    Sometimes an alternative type of NSAID that’s less likely to cause stomach ulcers, called a COX-2 inhibitor, may be recommended.

    If you’re taking low-dose aspirin to reduce your risk of embolism , your GP will tell you whether you need to continue taking it.

    If you do need to keep taking it, long-term treatment with a PPI or H2-receptor antagonist may be prescribed alongside the aspirin to try to prevent further ulcers.

    It’s important to understand the potential risks associated with continued NSAID use.

    You’re more likely to develop another stomach ulcer and could experience a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.

    Page last reviewed: 14 January 2022 Next review due: 14 January 2025

    What Does A Stomach Ulcer Feel Like

    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. It may feel worse between meals and at night when stomach acid builds up without food to digest. It may also make you feel like you dont want to eat.

    How do I know if I have an ulcer or gastritis?

    Gastritis and gastric ulcers share many symptoms and often go hand in hand. Gastritis can be a precursor to stomach ulcers, caused by the same conditions that will eventually cause ulcers, including H. pylori infection and mucous erosion. You may also have both.

    Both gastritis and stomach ulcers can cause stomach pain, as well as symptoms of indigestion. Usually, the pain from an ulcer will feel more localized like its coming from one particular spot. But since some ulcers are silent, you might not feel it if you do have one.

    If you have symptoms of either gastritis or stomach ulcer, you should seek medical care. Gastritis can lead to ulcers if it hasnt already. It can also indicate an infection or other condition that needs to be treated. Medical testing can quickly determine the causes of your stomach pain.

    How can I tell if I have ulcer pain or heartburn?

    Read Also: Can You Develop Ulcerative Colitis Later In Life

    What Are The Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

    Ulcers can cause serious problems if you dont get treatment.

    The most common problems include:

    • Bleeding. As an ulcer wears away the muscles of the stomach or duodenal wall, blood vessels may be hurt. This causes bleeding.
    • Hole . Sometimes an ulcer makes a hole in the wall of your stomach or duodenum. When this happens, bacteria and partly digested food can get in. This causes infection and redness or swelling .
    • Narrowing and blockage . Ulcers that are found where the duodenum joins the stomach can cause swelling and scarring. This can narrow or even block the opening to the duodenum. Food cant leave your stomach and go into your small intestine. This causes vomiting. You cant eat properly.

    How Can I Prevent A Stomach Ulcer From Occurring Or Returning

    Stomach Ulcer
    • Reduce NSAID use, if possible. Consider whether acetaminophen might substitute. If you take NSAIDs for medical reasons, talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage or switching your medication. Your doctor may also prescribe another medicine to take with NSAIDs to protect your stomach lining.
    • Reduce other irritants that may contribute to too much stomach acid or erode your stomach lining, including smoking and alcohol use.
    • Take an H. pylori breath test to find out if you have an overgrowth of the bacteria.

    Don’t Miss: Hydrocolloid Dressing For Stage 1 Pressure Ulcer

    How Can I Be Sure Its An Ulcer

    The only way to be sure an ulcer is causing your discomfort is with a medical diagnosis. We will evaluate your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination.

    To determine the root cause of your ulcer, we may run blood, stool, or breath tests. These tests are designed to look for signs of helicobacter pylori, the bacteria linked to ulcers.

    Depending on your unique symptoms, we may also order an endoscopy. During an endoscopy, we insert a tube with a tiny camera down your throat and into your stomach to take pictures of any potential damage and collect tissue samples for analysis.

    Read Also: What Foods Not To Eat If You Have An Ulcer

    What Treatments Are There For Ulcers

    Your treatment will depend on the cause of your ulcer. For example, if our tests indicate that an infection caused by helicobacter pylori is what created your ulcer, well give you antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria.

    Regardless of the cause, medications that help reduce the level of acid in your stomach can help the ulcer heal. And different lifestyle changes can accelerate healing as well, such as eliminating certain foods, abstaining from alcohol, and practicing stress management.

    In severe cases, surgery may be required. Your provider at Prima Medicine will work with you to create a treatment plan for your situation.

    If you have a stomach ulcer or want to see if you do, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Prima Medicine today.

    You Might Also Enjoy

    Recommended Reading: Ulcerative Colitis And Renal Failure

    More articles

    Popular Articles