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.
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.
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.
