How long ulcer treatment

If you have a stomach ulcer, your treatment will depend on what caused it. With treatment, most ulcers heal in a month or two. If your stomach ulcer is caused by a Helicobacter pylori H. This is also recommended if it's thought your stomach ulcer is caused by a combination of an H. An alternative type of medication, known as H2-receptor antagonists, is occasionally used instead of PPIs. Sometimes you may be given additional medication called antacids to relieve your symptoms in the short term.

There aren't any special lifestyle measures you need to take during treatment, but avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals. If you have an H. Tell your doctor if the medicines make you feel sick or dizzy or cause diarrhea or headaches. Your doctor can change your medicines. If you smoke, quit. You also should avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol and smoking slow the healing of a peptic ulcer and can make it worse.

Your doctor can help you determine how to continue using an NSAID safely after your peptic ulcer symptoms go away. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Your doctor can then decide if you may safely take NSAIDs or if you should switch to a different medicine. In either case, your doctor may prescribe a PPI or histamine receptor blocker to protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum. If you have an H. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill H.

How doctors prescribe antibiotics may differ throughout the world. Over time, some types of antibiotics can no longer destroy certain types of H. Antibiotics can cure most peptic ulcers caused by H.

However, getting rid of the bacteria can be difficult. Take all doses of your antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribes, even if the pain from a peptic ulcer is gone. Anyone who thinks they may have an ulcer in their stomach should consult their doctor.

Any stomach symptoms that last for more than a few days or keep happening need evaluation and treatment. A slow-bleeding ulcer can be signaled by symptoms of anemia , such as being tired and breathless. More serious bleeding is an urgent medical problem and can be signaled if blood is vomited up, or stools are black and sticky. Perforation, or a hole in the stomach, is also an emergency.

Without quick treatment, the wall of the stomach can become infected. Sudden stomach pain that gets worse can indicate perforation, and any signs of being very unwell with infection need treatment as soon as possible. Read the article in Spanish. There is growing evidence to suggest that eating certain foods can help get rid of stomach ulcers or, at least, reduce their symptoms.

Learn more here. Ulcers can occur in many places, including in the stomach. These are called stomach or peptic ulcers. People can try home remedies to relieve the…. Gastritis is commonly caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Here, learn which foods to eat and which to avoid to minimize symptoms.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers are types of peptic ulcer. They affect different parts of the digestive tract, but both can cause pain and discomfort, and…. Everything you need to know about stomach ulcers. Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the digestive system gastroenterologist.

It's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what you can expect from your doctor. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.

Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to cover. Your doctor may ask:. While you're waiting to see your doctor, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods and stress may help lessen your discomfort. Peptic ulcer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Kellerman RD, et al. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Accessed July 8, Peptic ulcer disease. American College of Gastroenterology.