Overview Of Gastric Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach or intestine. There are two types of peptic ulcers. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach, and duodenal ulcers occur in the first part of the small intestine.
Causes Of Gastric Ulcer
Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines can protect itself against strong stomach acids. But if the lining breaks down, the result may be:
- Swollen and inflamed tissue (gastritis)
- An ulcer Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole in the stomach or duodenum is called a perforation. This is a medical emergency.
The most common cause of ulcers is an infection of the stomach by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). Most people with peptic ulcers have these bacteria living in their digestive tract. Yet, many people who have these bacteria in their stomach do not develop an ulcer.
The following factors raise your risk for peptic ulcers:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco
- Being very ill, such as being on a breathing machine
- Radiation treatments
- Stress
- A rare condition, called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, causes stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Symptoms Of Gastric Ulcer
Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Some ulcers can cause serious bleeding.
Abdominal pain (often in the upper mid-abdomen) is a common symptom. The pain can differ from person to person. Some people have no pain.
Pain occurs:
- In the upper abdomen
- At night and wakes you up
- When you feel an empty stomach, often 1 to 3 hours after a meal
Other symptoms include:
- The feeling of fullness and problems drinking as much fluid as usual
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloody or dark, tarry stools
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Vomiting, possibly bloody
- Weight loss
- Ongoing heartburn
Exams & Tests
To detect an ulcer, you may need a test called an upper endoscopy (EGD).
This is a test to check the lining of the food pipe, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat.
This test most often requires sedation given through a vein.
In some cases, a smaller endoscope may be used that is passed into the stomach through the nose.
This does not require sedation. EGD is done on most people when peptic ulcers are suspected or when you have:
- Low blood count (anemia)
- Trouble swallowing
- Bloody vomit
- Bloody or dark and tarry-looking stools
- Lost weight without trying
- Other findings that raise a concern for cancer in the stomach
- Testing for H pylori is also needed. This may be done by biopsy of the stomach during endoscopy, with a stool test, or by a urea breath test.
Other tests you may have include:
- Hemoglobin blood test to check for anemia
- Stool occult blood test to test for blood in your stool
- Sometimes, you may need a test called an upper GI series. A series of x-rays are taken after you drink a thick substance called barium. This does not require sedation.
Treatment Of Gastric Ulcer
Your health care provider will recommend medicines to heal your ulcer and prevent a relapse. The medicines will:
- Kill the H pylori bacteria, if present.
- Reduce acid levels in the stomach. These include H2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as pantoprozole.
- Take all of your medicines as you have been told. Other changes in your lifestyle can also help.
If you have a peptic ulcer with an H pylori infection, the standard treatment uses different combinations of the following medicines for 7 to 14 days:
- Two different antibiotics to kill H pylori.
- PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or esomeprazole (Nexium).
- Bismuth (the main ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) may be added to help kill the bacteria.
You will likely need to take a PPI for 8 weeks if:
- You have an ulcer without an H pylori infection.
- Your ulcer is caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs.
- Your provider may also prescribe this type of medicine regularly if you continue taking aspirin or NSAIDs for other health conditions.
Other medicines used for ulcers are:
- Misoprostol, a medicine that may help prevent ulcers in people who take NSAIDs on a regular basis
- Medicines that protect the tissue lining, such as sucralfate
If a peptic ulcer bleeds a lot, an EGD may be needed to stop the bleeding. Methods used to stop the bleeding include:
- Injecting medicine in the ulcer
- Applying metal clips or heat therapy to the ulcer
Surgery may be needed if:
- Bleeding cannot be stopped with an EGD
- The ulcer has caused a tear
