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How to Overcome Stomach Ulcers - Dr. Josh Axe Last Updated January Holistic reproductive health article was created Prevennting familydoctor. Pregenting editorial hlcer and Preventing peptic ulcer disease by Dissease S. Patel, MD, FAAFP, FACSM. A peptic ulcer is a sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach. It also can occur near the top of the small intestine. This area of the small intestine is called the duodenum. The lining is damaged by the acids your body uses to digest food.

Preventing peptic ulcer disease -

The most common peptic ulcer symptom is burning stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach.

The pain can often be relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking an acid-reducing medication, but then it may come back. The pain may be worse between meals and at night.

See your doctor if you have the severe signs or symptoms listed above. Also see your doctor if over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers relieve your pain but the pain returns. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news.

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Peptic ulcers occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed. Your digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer that normally protects against acid.

But if the amount of acid is increased or the amount of mucus is decreased, you could develop an ulcer. A bacterium. Helicobacter pylori bacteria commonly live in the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues that line the stomach and small intestine.

Often, the H. pylori bacterium causes no problems, but it can cause inflammation of the stomach's inner layer, producing an ulcer. It's not clear how H. pylori infection spreads. It may be transmitted from person to person by close contact, such as kissing.

People may also contract H. pylori through food and water. In addition to having risks related to taking NSAIDs , you may have an increased risk of peptic ulcers if you:.

Alone, these factors do not cause ulcers, but they can make ulcers worse and more difficult to heal. You may reduce your risk of peptic ulcer if you follow the same strategies recommended as home remedies to treat ulcers. It also may be helpful to:. Protect yourself from infections.

It's not clear just how H. pylori spreads, but there's some evidence that it could be transmitted from person to person or through food and water.

You can take steps to protect yourself from infections, such as H. pylori, by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and by eating foods that have been cooked completely.

Use caution with pain relievers. If you regularly use pain relievers that increase your risk of peptic ulcer, take steps to reduce your risk of stomach problems. For instance, take your medication with meals. Work with your doctor to find the lowest dose possible that still gives you pain relief.

They are not caused by stress or spicy foods. The most common kinds of peptic ulcers are named based on the location where they occur. These include:. Gastric Ulcers A common type of ulcer, these occur on the inside of the stomach.

Duodenal Ulcers These are located in the upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Esophageal Ulcers These occur inside the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. If they do, however, upper abdominal pain is the most common one.

The abdominal pain can occur anywhere from your navel up to your breastbone, and it may follow any of these patterns:.

Those two factors can, however, make peptic ulcer symptoms worse, the Mayo Clinic notes. In very rare cases, peptic ulcers may be caused by a condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome also known as gastrinoma.

It occurs when a tumor of acid-producing cells forms in the digestive tract, producing an excessive amount of acid that damages nearby tissue. Other rare causes of peptic ulcers may include serious illness, surgery, or medications other than NSAIDs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If your doctor suspects that you may have a peptic ulcer, the next steps include taking a full medical history and performing a physical exam. Your doctor may also order the following diagnostic tests:. Peptic ulcers caused by medication usually begin to heal shortly after you stop taking the medication.

Doctors often recommend taking antacids for two to six weeks to assist with healing and relieve pain. Ulcers caused by H. pylori will heal when the bacteria is killed. The typical course of treatment includes two weeks of antibiotics, along with acid-suppressing medicine.

This is usually followed by an additional four to eight weeks of acid-suppressing medicine alone. Duodenal ulcers take roughly six weeks to heal.

Gastric ulcers tend to heal more slowly, taking two or three months to heal completely in cases where there are no other complications. Your course of treatment will be based on the cause of your peptic ulcer. Treatment typically involves taking acid-suppressing medications to kill H.

pylori bacteria, if present, and to promote healing, as well as stopping any medications that are causing your peptic ulcer. You may also experience symptom relief from certain lifestyle measures. If your peptic ulcer is found to be caused by an H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria in your digestive tract.

Over-the-counter antacids like Mylanta , Maalox, or Tums can help you feel better, but they will not heal ulcers. If left untreated, complications from ulcers can occur. Proton pump inhibitors PPIs are drugs that block acid production and promote healing of peptic ulcers.

Another option that your doctor may prescribe is a cytoprotective agent — a drug that protects the lining of your stomach and small intestine, which can help relieve symptoms of an ulcer. Limiting your use of NSAIDs may help prevent peptic ulcers. Taking an alternative pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, may help you avoid NSAIDs.

If you need to take an NSAID, opt for the lowest effective dose and take it with a meal. Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in severe complications and potential medical emergencies:. If you think you or someone you know is having an ulcer emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

Peptic ulcers are quite common, affecting about 4 million people each year in the United States. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop a peptic ulcer at some point, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Infection with H. Take NSAIDs in amounts higher than instructed on the drug facts label or by your doctor or pharmacist.

Take many different medications that have aspirin and other NSAIDs. Take NSAIDs for long periods of time. Have had weight-reduction surgery bariatric surgery. Tests to find ulcers. There are a few tests your doctor can do if you suspect you may have peptic ulcer disease. Tests for H.

pylori bacteria. This is the most accurate test to find active ulcers and treat complications. You will be given medicine to block pain and make you feel relaxed and sleepy during the test. Upper-GI gastrointestinal series. With this X-ray test, you will be given a contrast liquid to drink called barium.

Treatments for ulcers. If your tests show you have H. pylori infection you will be prescribed:. One or two bacteria-killing antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole or clarithromycin. A medication that has bismuth.

A medicine to lessen the acid in your stomach. Often, antibiotics are given for 1—2 weeks. It is important to take all of this medicine to cure the infection.

Is it possible to prevent ulcers? If you have ulcers not caused by H. pylori :. Stop using NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, meloxicam and celecoxib. Your doctor will start you on medicine to lessen the acid in your stomach.

Complications of ulcers. In severe cases, ulcer complications can lead to death. If you have had ulcers before or if you get stomach pain, you may lessen your risk of NSAID-caused ulcers by:.

Knowing your risk factors. Trying a different NSAID. Reading medication labels and following instructions. Changing your dose and frequency.

Substituting other pain-relief medications for the NSAID. Talking with your doctor about ways to protect your stomach while getting pain relief.

Staying away from alcohol when taking pain medications. Talking to your doctor about pain that does not go away. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis NASH. Tagged duodenal ulcer duodenum gastric ulcer H. pylori Helicobacter pylori NSAIDs peptic ulcer disease ulcer upset stomach weight loss. Connect With AGA.

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Ulcer - peptic; Ulcer Antioxidant-rich foods for a gluten-free diet duodenal; Exercise for weight loss - gastric; Duodenal ulcer; Gastric ulcer; Dyspepsia - Antioxidant-rich foods for a gluten-free diet Bleeding ulcer; Gastrointestinal peptc - peptic ulcer; Preevnting hemorrhage - peptic ulcer; G. bleed - peptic ulcer; H. pylori - peptic ulcer; Helicobacter pylori - peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers may lead to emergency situations. Severe abdominal pain with or without evidence of bleeding may indicate a perforation of the ulcer through the stomach or duodenum.