Topics:
Abdominal
Trauma, Abdominal Tuberculosis, Ascitis,
Burns,
Ca Colon,
Chemotherapy for Colorectal Ca, Colonoscopy,
Constipation,
Esophageal varices, Evidence based surgery, Gall
Bladder,
GERD,
GI Bleed,
GI Endoscopy,
GI Malignancy,
Hernia,
Inflammatory Bowel Disease(1),
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2),
Intestinal Obstruction, Laparoscopy Diagnostic,
Laparoscoy FAQs
Laparoscopy Operative, Liver function,
Obstructive Jaundice, Pancreatitis,
Peptic Ulcer,
Piles/Fissure/Fistula,
Portal Hypertension,
PR (per rectal examination), Serum
tumor markers,
Shock
Lectures:
Ano-rectal abscess
Anti-biotics in coloproctology
Applied anatomy of the Ischio-Rectal
Fossa
Bowel Preparation
Diverticulosis
Fissure in Ano
GERD
Hiatal Herniae(1)
Hiatal
Herniae(2)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Laparoscopy History
Laparoscopy Anaesthesia
Onco Surgery
Pilonidal sinus
PR - Per-rectal examination
Pre-Operative Preparation
What is an ulcer?
Ulcers are sores on the lining of your digestive tract. Most ulcers are located in the duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of the intestine. These ulcers are called duodenal ulcers. Ulcers located in the stomach are called gastric ulcers. Ulcers in the esophagus are called esophageal ulcers.
What causes ulcers?
A type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes many ulcers. Acid and other juices made by the stomach can contribute to ulcers by burning the lining of your digestive tract. This can happen if your body makes too much acid or if the lining of your digestive tract is damaged in some way. Physical or emotional stress may help cause ulcers.
Ulcers can also be caused by anti-inflammatory medicines. Although most people take these medicines without problems, long-term use may damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ketoprofen (brand names: Actron, Orudis KT) and some prescription drugs for arthritis.
How can my doctor tell if I have an ulcer?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may start you on some medicine before doing tests. This is because ulcers usually feel better within a week or so of treatment. You may not need tests if you're getting better.
If you don't get better, your doctor may do an endoscopy or a special x-ray to study your digestive tract. During an endoscopy, your doctor looks into your stomach through a thin tube. He or she may take a sample of the stomach lining (a biopsy) to test for H. pylori. Blood and breath tests can also be used to test for H. pylori.
Possible signs of an ulcer
How can ulcers be treated?
One way to treat ulcers is to get rid of the H. pylori bacteria. Treatment may also be aimed at lowering the amount of acid that your stomach makes, neutralizing the acid and protecting the injured area so it can heal. It's also very important to stop doing things, such as smoking, that damage the lining of your digestive tract.
What is triple therapy?
Triple therapy is a treatment to eliminate H. pylori. It is a combination of 2 antibiotics and bismuth (brand name: Pepto-Bismol). Other combinations may also be effective. This treatment may be used with medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes.
What about other medicines?
Several other medicines can be used to help treat ulcers. Two types of medicines (H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors) reduce the amount of acid that your stomach makes. They usually help people start to feel better within 3 days.
Antacids neutralize acid that the stomach makes. A medicine called sucralfate (brand name: Carafate) coats the ulcer to protect it from the acid so it has time to heal.
Another medicine, misoprostol (brand name: Cytotec), reduces the amount of acid and protects the lining of the stomach. It is usually used to prevent gastric ulcers in people who need to take anti-inflammatory drugs and who have had stomach irritation or ulcers in the past.
How long will I have to take medicine?
Treatment to get rid of H. pylori usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Your doctor may want you to take medicine that lowers the stomach acid for up to 8 weeks. Most ulcers heal within this time.
If your symptoms come back after you stop taking medicine, your doctor may want you to take a different medicine or take a low dose of medicine even when you're not having symptoms to keep the ulcer from coming back.
Tips on healing your ulcer
Does what I eat affect my ulcer?
It may. But this isn't true for everyone. Certain foods and drinks may be more likely to make your pain worse. These include regular and decaffeinated coffee, tea, chocolate, meat extracts, alcohol, black pepper, chili powder, mustard seed and nutmeg. You may want to avoid these things if they bother you. But keep your diet balanced. Try eating small, frequent meals when you're having pain.Are ulcers serious?
Not usually. Ulcers sometimes can lead to other problems. These problems include bleeding, perforation (the ulcer eats through the wall of the digestive tract) or obstruction (the digestive tract is blocked and food can't leave the stomach). Get help right away if you have any of the warning signs in the box below.
Warning signs that your ulcer is getting worse
This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
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