Stomach ulcers occur when digestive acids damage your stomach lining. Treatment may include antibiotics, home remedies, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause.
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are painful, open sores that develop in the stomach lining.
They occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduced. This allows the digestive acids to eat away at the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer.
Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer, which means they’re related to stomach acid. The other type of peptic ulcer is called duodenal ulcer, which affects the small intestines.
Stomach ulcers may be easily cured, but they can become severe without proper treatment.
Between
- an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
- long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
Some other risk factors and underlying health conditions may also break down the mucosa that lines your stomach, exposing it to acid damage that could cause stomach ulcers. These may include:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- smoking cigarettes
- drinking alcohol
- viral infections
- cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- bowel obstruction
- gastric infiltrative disorders, such as malignancy
Can eating certain foods cause stomach ulcers?
Some people say that eating certain foods may cause stomach ulcers, but the American College of Gastroenterology notes that these claims are false.
Eating certain foods may trigger or worsen symptoms of stomach ulcers, but they don’t cause them.
Learn more about diet and stomach ulcers.
Several symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers, the severity of which depends on the severity of the ulcer.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), the most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen, between your chest and belly button.
Typically, the pain is more intense when the stomach is empty and can last for a few minutes to several hours. That said, some
Other symptoms of stomach ulcers may include:
- heartburn
- indigestion
- abdominal tenderness
- unintentional weight loss
- not wanting to eat because of the pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- bloating
- feeling easily full
- dark and tarry stools
- vomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds
Talk with a doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they aren’t treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life threatening.
To diagnose a stomach ulcer, a doctor will review your medical history along with your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you’re taking.
To rule out H. pylori infection, they may order a blood, stool, or breath test.
A doctor may also order an endoscopy to look directly inside your stomach for ulcers. During this test, a doctor will insert a thin, lighted tube through your mouth and into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This tube has a camera to take pictures of your intestine.
A doctor can also remove a piece of stomach tissue for analysis in a lab, a procedure known as an endoscopic biopsy.
Treatment for stomach ulcers will depend on the cause and severity. Most ulcers can be treated with a prescription from a doctor, but in rare cases, surgery may be required.
Nonsurgical treatment
If your stomach ulcer is the result of H. pylori, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics and drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs block the stomach cells that produce acid.
According to the NHS, a doctor may prescribe only PPIs if your stomach ulcers are caused by taking NSAIDs.
Sometimes, H2 receptor blockers can be used instead of PPIs, and antacids could help relieve symptoms.
You’ll most likely need another endoscopy within 4 to 6 weeks to check whether the stomach ulcer has properly been treated.
Surgical treatment
In very rare cases,
- continue to return
- don’t heal
- bleed
- tear through the stomach
- keep food from flowing out of the stomach into the small intestine
Surgery may include:
- removal of the entire ulcer
- taking tissue from another part of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer site
- tying off a bleeding artery
- cutting off the nerve supply to the stomach to reduce the production of stomach acid
If you have an actively bleeding ulcer, you’ll likely be hospitalized for intensive treatment with endoscopy and IV ulcer medications. You may also require a blood transfusion.
Some home remedies may help relieve the symptoms and effects of stomach ulcers, including:
- eating foods high in flavonoids
- taking probiotics
- taking aloe vera supplements
That said, it’s important to note that the research on the efficacy of home remedies for stomach ulcers is limited.
A doctor may also have suggestions for things you can do at home to relieve discomfort from your ulcer.
The United Kingdom’s NHS recommends speaking with a doctor if your symptoms don’t go away, or if you experience:
- black, tarry stools
- sudden, sharp abdominal pain
If your vomit looks like blood or black coffee grounds, get immediate medical attention.
It’s important to get treatment for a stomach ulcer as soon as possible. If left untreated, stomach ulcers
- bleeding ulcer
- penetration, which is when the ulcer goes through the wall of the digestive tract and into another organ
- perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract
- obstruction (blockage) in the digestive tract, which is due to swelling of inflamed tissues
The best way to help prevent stomach ulcers is to limit your intake of NSAIDs and take measures to prevent contracting H. pylori. This may include:
- washing your hands regularly
- preventing cross-contamination of foods
- properly cooking and storing foods, especially meat and seafood
If you need to take NSAIDs, be sure to follow the recommended dosage and guidance from your doctor.
Do stomach ulcers go away?
Yes, in most cases, a stomach ulcer will go away within 4 to 6 weeks with proper treatment. If left untreated, however, stomach ulcers may lead to complications like perforation, penetration, or internal bleeding.
What is the best over-the-counter medication for stomach ulcers?
A doctor may recommend antacids to help relieve stomach ulcer symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, and bloating.
What drink soothes an ulcer?
Some drinks that may help soothe an ulcer may include herbal tea, kefir, and drinks that include ginger, yogurt, or cabbage.
Consider limiting alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.
Stomach ulcers are open wounds on the lining of your stomach. They’re most commonly caused by long-term use of NSAIDs or an H. pylori infection.
Speak with a doctor if you experience symptoms like a burning sensation in the abdomen, along with bloating, nausea, and unintentional weight loss.
They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.