Gastric Ulcer
En Español (Spanish Version)A gastric ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach. Ulcers can be treated. A small percentage of them may be cancerous. See your doctor if you think you may have a gastric ulcer.
Gastric Ulcer
© 2011 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Most gastric ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection. It is most often
Helicobacter pylori
. An ulcer may also be caused by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Some factors thought to increase the risk of a gastric ulcer are:
- Gender: male
- Older age (the incidence of gastric ulcer peaks at age 50)
- Regular use of pain medications
- Smoking
- High levels of stress
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Alcohol use
- Acid reflux
- Gastritis
- Cirrhosis
- Chronic kidney failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
- Use of steroid medications
Symptoms include:
-
Abdominal pain that may:
- Wake you at night
- Be relieved by antacids or milk
- Occur 2-3 hours after a meal
- Be worse when you don't eat
- Nausea
- Abdominal indigestion
- Vomiting, especially blood
- Blood in stools or black, tarry stools
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Burning pain in the gut that feels like a dull ache and comes and goes, often starts 2-3 hours after a meal and goes away after you eat, or it may come in the middle of the night when your stomach is empty
- Losing weight
- Loss of appetite
- Pain while eating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam may be done. Other tests may include:
- Biopsy
—removal of a sample of tissue for testing
- Blood tests
- Endoscopy
—a thin, lighted tube inserted down the throat to examine parts of the body
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray
—a series of x-rays of the upper digestive system taken after drinking a barium solution (also called a barium swallow)
- Breath tests
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Some ulcers will heal if you avoid caffeine, NSAIDs, alcohol, and tobacco. Other treatment options include:
Treatment with medications focuses on:
- Stopping your stomach from making acids
- Killing the bacteria that is causing your ulcer
Medications used to treat gastric ulcers include:
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Histamine receptor blockers
- Antibiotics
Antacids may also help reduce pain and heal ulcers.
If ulcers do not heal with medications, surgery may be needed. Surgery can remove the ulcers and/or reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes.
If you are diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, follow your doctor's
instructions
.
Steps you can take to prevent gastric ulcers include:
- Stop using NSAIDs. You can talk with your doctor about alternatives
- Do not smoke.
- Do not drink alcohol.
American College of Gastroenterology
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Last Reviewed September 2011