Stomach Ulcer: Brief Version

What is a stomach ulcer?

A stomach ulcer is a raw area or open sore in the lining of the stomach. This is also called a gastric ulcer.

How does it happen?

The stomach's lining has a layer of cells that makes mucus. The mucus protects the stomach from being injured by stomach acids. When this layer is damaged, you could get an ulcer.

This can happen in many ways:

• Bacteria called H. pylori cause most stomach ulcers.
• The lining of the stomach cannot protect itself from acids.
• Your stomach makes too much acid.

You are more likely to get an ulcer if you:

• Take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen often.

Cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine can make ulcer pain worse. Doctors do not know if they can actually cause an ulcer.

What are the symptoms?

You may have:

• A pain in the upper abdomen that gnaws or burns.
• A pain that gets better when you eat or take antacids.
• A pain that gets worse when your stomach is empty (just before meals or a couple of hours after you eat).
• A pain that wakes you up during the night.

If the ulcer bleeds:

• Your vomit may have bright red blood or blood that looks like brown coffee grounds.
• Your bowel movements may be black and tarry.

How do I know I have it?

Your healthcare provider will:

• Talk to you about your symptoms.
• Ask you about your medical history.
• Give you a checkup.

You may have one or more of these tests:

• Tests of your bowel movement to check for blood.
• Blood tests to look for bacteria that cause ulcers.
• A blood test for anemia. If you have an ulcer that is bleeding, you may have anemia (not enough red blood cells).
• An X-ray. For this test, you will swallow barium. This liquid lets your healthcare provider see the ulcer on an X-ray.
• An endoscopy, which is an exam that lets your healthcare provider see the ulcer with a thin flexible tube. After numbing your throat, your provider puts the tube through your mouth down into your stomach.
• A special test called a biopsy. Your provider takes a piece of tissue from your stomach and sends the tissue to a lab for tests.

How is it treated?

It is important to get treatment for an ulcer. Treatment will help:

• You have less pain.
• Your ulcer heal.
• Keep your ulcer from causing other problems or coming back.

You may need to stay in the hospital for the first part of your treatment if your ulcer is causing serious problems.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Antibiotics to treat H. pylori bacteria if your test for bacteria was positive.
• Medicine to lower the amount of acid your stomach makes.
• Medicine to coat and protect the area around the ulcer.
• Antacids.

In addition your healthcare provider will recommend that you stop drinking alcohol and stop smoking cigarettes.

You may also need to stop taking some medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Take your medicine as your provider directs. If you have any problems, tell your provider right away.

How long will it take to get well?

Stomach ulcers get better with treatment. But they can happen again. Be sure to take your medicine. This will help lower the chances that the ulcer will come back.

If you do not get treated, you may have these problems:

• You may hemorrhage (bleed inside).
• You may get a hole in the wall of your stomach.
• The ulcer may scar and stop your food from passing through your body.

If you have these problems:

• You may need to stay at the hospital.
• You may need surgery.

Sometimes a stomach ulcer turns into stomach cancer. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if any symptoms come back.

How can I take care of myself and help prevent ulcers?

Get the medical care you need.

• Take all the medicine prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Keep your follow-up appointments.
• If you keep having symptoms, or you get worse, tell your provider right away.

There are things you should stay away from if you can:

• Do not smoke cigarettes.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Don't take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Ask your provider if you can use acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) for pain.

Take care of yourself.

• Eat more small, healthy meals a day instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Exercise as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Do not eat or drink things that may bother your stomach. Common things that can bother the stomach are coffee, colas, and acidic foods like oranges and other citrus fruits.