Stomach ulcer
Overview
Stomach ulcers (also called peptic or gastric ulcers) are sores in the stomach. They can be serious, but most people recover with treatment.
Symptoms
The main symptom of a stomach ulcer is tummy (abdominal) pain. The pain: is usually in the upper part of your tummymay feel like burningis often worse at night Other symptoms of a stomach ulcer include indigestion, heartburn (a burning sensation in your chest), bloating and feeling or being sick. After you've seen a GP, there are things you can do to help ease your stomach ulcer symptoms and reduce the risk of a stomach ulcer coming back. eat smaller meals eat smaller meals eat your evening meal 3 to 4 hours before going to bed eat your evening meal 3 to 4 hours before going to bed try to keep to a healthy weight try to keep to a healthy weight take steps to managestress take steps to managestress do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) without speaking to a doctor first do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) without speaking to a doctor first do not have food or drink that triggers your symptoms, which can include fatty or spicy foods, coffee and chocolate do not have food or drink that triggers your symptoms, which can include fatty or spicy foods, coffee and chocolate do not smoke do not smoke do not drink too much alcohol do not drink too much alcohol
Causes
The main causes of stomach ulcers are: infection with helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteriaregular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen Stomach ulcers are also more common in people who smoke, and the risk of getting one increases as you get older.
Treatment
Treatment for a stomach ulcer depends on what's causing it. You may be offered: antibiotics to treat H pylori infectionmedicines to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach, such as proton pump inhibitors Treatment usually lasts from 1 week to 2 months, depending on what's causing your ulcer. You may need tests after treatment to make sure it's worked. If your symptoms come back after treatment, speak to a GP. You may need to try a different medicine or keep taking medicine for longer. A doctor may also recommend: lifestyle changes, such as stopping smokingstopping or changing medicines that may be making your symptoms worsegetting help with stress, anxiety and depression, as these things can make your symptoms worse
Prevention
Treat H. pylori; Avoid long-term NSAIDs; Stop smoking.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: suspect an ulcer. URGENT if: vomiting blood/black poop.