Why do peptic ulcers hurt

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:. With proper treatment, most peptic ulcers heal. However, you may not heal if you stop taking your medication early or continue to use tobacco, alcohol, and nonsteroidal pain relievers during treatment.

Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment after your initial treatment to evaluate your recovery. Your doctor may offer a different method of treatment or run additional tests to rule out stomach cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases.

Certain lifestyle choices and habits can reduce your risk of developing peptic ulcers. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking cigarettes and other tobacco use and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help you prevent developing a peptic ulcer. But certain foods may help fight the cause of your stomach ulcer. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are both types of peptic ulcers.

These ulcers can cause different symptoms, depending on where they are. A peptic ulcer on…. Find out what conditions may be causing your stomach pain at night, as well as when you should go see your doctor.

Learn about risk factors, complications, and…. A bleeding ulcer requires immediate treatment. Learn more about the warning signs and what to expect during treatment.

Stomach ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach. They are a type of peptic ulcer disease. Use caution with pain relievers. If you regularly use pain relievers that increase your risk of peptic ulcer, take steps to reduce your risk of stomach problems. For instance, take your medication with meals.

Work with your doctor to find the lowest dose possible that still gives you pain relief. Avoid drinking alcohol when taking your medication, since the two can combine to increase your risk of stomach upset. If you need an NSAID , you may need to also take additional medications such as an antacid, a proton pump inhibitor, an acid blocker or cytoprotective agent.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Ulcers Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ulcers A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach, small intestine or 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. You may also have some tests. Treatment will depend on the type of ulcer you have.

Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on what is causing your ulcer. Treatment can include making lifestyle changes, taking medicines, or in some cases having surgery.

In most cases, medicines can heal ulcers quickly. Once the H. You may also need surgery if your ulcer causes other medical problems. Untreated peptic ulcers may cause other health problems.

Sometimes they bleed. If they become too deep, they can break through your stomach. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Ulcers are fairly common. What causes peptic ulcers?

Causes of peptic ulcers include: H. Most ulcers are caused by an infection from a bacteria or germ called H. This bacteria hurts the mucus that protects the lining of your stomach and the first part of your small intestine the duodenum.

Stomach acid then gets through to the lining. NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are over-the-counter pain and fever medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Over time they can damage the mucus that protects the lining of your stomach.

What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers? Less common ulcer symptoms may include: Feeling full after eating a small amount of food Burping Nausea Vomiting Not feeling hungry Losing weight without trying Bloody or black stool Vomiting blood Peptic ulcer symptoms may look like other health problems. How are peptic ulcers diagnosed? Imaging tests used to diagnose ulcers include: Upper GI gastrointestinal series or barium swallow. This test looks at the organs of the top part of your digestive system.

It checks your food pipe esophagus , stomach, and the first part of the small intestine the duodenum. You will swallow a metallic fluid called barium. Barium coats the organs so that they can be seen on an X-ray. These side effects are typically temporary. If any of these side effects cause extreme discomfort, talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

In very rare cases, a complicated stomach ulcer will require surgery. This may be the case for ulcers that:. In the past, it was thought that diet could cause ulcers. Foods that may help fight off H. Additionally, since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.

Learn more about foods that may be good for stomach ulcers — and foods that may not be. In addition to eating healthy foods, the following items may help reduce the effects of H. However, these supplements are not intended to replace prescription medication or your current treatment plan. They include:. Your doctor may also have suggestions for things you can do at home to relieve discomfort from your ulcer. Consider talking to your doctor about these natural and home remedies for ulcers.

If you think you have a stomach ulcer, call your doctor. Together you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Symptoms of these complications can include those listed below. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call you doctor right away:.

To prevent the spread of bacteria that might cause a stomach ulcer, wash your hands with soap and water on a regular basis. Also, be sure to properly clean all of your food and to cook it thoroughly as needed. If you need to take NSAIDs, be sure to follow the recommended dosage and avoid alcohol while taking these medications.