If you have a stomach ulcer (a form of peptic ulcer), it means that the stomach wall has been damaged by the erosion of gastric juices. This injury is not usually caused by something you ate, but is caused by a bacterial infection or by the frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Regardless of whether the pain is mild or severe, you should see a doctor to detect the cause and find a cure.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get Medical Care
Step 1. Take antibiotics
If your stomach ulcer was caused by an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics which, by killing the bacteria, will help you heal. Fortunately, you won't have to take them for a long time.
You will likely need to take them for a couple of weeks. Follow all drug therapy so the bacteria don't return. Even if your symptoms are in remission, it doesn't mean you can stop taking your medications. Therefore, make sure you take them according to your doctor's directions
Step 2. Use a drug that stops the acidity of stomach juices
You will likely need to take a proton pump inhibitor that blocks stomach acid. Drugs in this class include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole and pantoprazole.
Proton pump inhibitors have some long-term side effects, including increased risk of pneumonia, osteoporosis, and intestinal infections
Step 3. Take an antacid
Your doctor may also prescribe an antacid to protect and help heal the stomach walls. It is a drug that prevents the excessive production of hydrochloric acid and relieves the pain caused by gastric ulcer. Side effects may include constipation or diarrhea.
Antacids work on stomach ulcer symptoms, but you will need to take other medications to treat the cause
Step 4. Change pain reliever
Regular intake of an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is a major cause of gastric ulcer. If you often take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen, consider switching pain relievers. Ask your doctor about using acetaminophen for pain relief, as it is not associated with ulcer formation. Always follow the dosage indicated in the package insert and do not take more than 3000-4000 mg per day.
- Avoid taking painkillers on an empty stomach, otherwise they can cause problems. Rather, take them after meals or a snack.
- The doctor may also prescribe Carafate (sucralfate, which covers the ulcer from the inside, allowing the stomach to heal on its own.
Step 5. Stop smoking
Smoking can promote ulcers by making the mucous lining more vulnerable to attack by gastric juices. It also increases stomach acid and, therefore, can cause digestive difficulties (dyspepsia) and pain. The good news is that if you quit smoking, you will see an improvement in these symptoms.
Ask your doctor about a plan to help you quit smoking. You may be attending a support group or taking some medication that will help you break the habit of smoking
Step 6. Get an endoscopy if it is a more severe ulcer
If the pain does not go away with medication, the doctor might insert a small tube tube through the mouth and into the stomach. This tube is equipped with a micro-camera, thanks to which the doctor can administer a drug, cut or cauterize the ulcer.
Step 7. Monitor the healing process
Once you begin treatment, you will feel better within two to four weeks, although it may take longer if you smoke. If you don't feel any improvement after four weeks, talk to your doctor. Perhaps you suffer from some condition that you do not know or from a refractory ulcer.
Keep in mind that many medications are taken for a long time. Therefore, it is important to be alert for side effects and to speak to your doctor if you have any concerns or concerns
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing and Diagnosing a Gastric Ulcer
Step 1. Pay attention to the pain
Although gastric ulcer symptoms may vary from person to person, pain is the most common. You may feel it just below the rib cage, near the central area of the chest. Actually, you could feel it anywhere from the navel to the breastbone.
Don't be surprised if the pain comes and goes. It may worsen overnight if you are hungry, or disappear and recur after a few weeks
Step 2. Consider the damage caused by the ulcer
In addition to pain, nausea, vomiting, or swelling may occur. The cause of these symptoms is due to the erosion of the stomach walls where the ulcer was formed. So, when the stomach activates the gastric juices to digest food, the latter further aggravate the ulcer.
In severe cases, you may vomit blood or find traces of it in the stool
Step 3. Know when to see your doctor
Look for the warning signs that accompany an ulcer. If you have any of the following symptoms in addition to stomach pain, call your doctor or 911 immediately:
- Fever;
- Intense pain;
- Diarrhea that lasts more than two to three days
- Persistent constipation (more than two to three days);
- Traces of blood in the stool (which may appear red, black or tarry)
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Expulsion by vomiting of blood or blood material similar to "coffee grounds";
- Severe abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and sclera)
- Noticeable abdominal swelling or swelling.
Step 4. Get a diagnosis
Your doctor will likely prescribe an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) for you. During this procedure, a flexible probe fitted with a small camera is inserted into the stomach that allows the doctor to evaluate the presence of ulcers and determine if they are causing bleeding.
- A gastric ulcer can also be diagnosed with an X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract, although it is not a widely used test because there is a risk that it will fail to detect small ulcers.
- Once your initial care is finished, your doctor may prescribe an endoscopy, which is a procedure in which a probe equipped with a small camera and a light that allows you to examine the condition of the digestive system is used. In this way, the doctor can assure you if the ulcer has responded to the treatment and rule out that it is a symptom of a tumor nature.
Part 3 of 3: Managing the Pain Caused by Gastric Ulcer
Step 1. Relieve pressure on the stomach
Since your stomach is already under stress, avoid putting any additional pressure on it. So, don't wear clothes that compress your abdominal area. Also, to feel better, try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of eating larger portions a few times a day. In this way, you will decrease the production of gastric juices and eliminate the heaviness in the stomach.
Try to eat two to three hours before bed in the evening. By doing this, the food will not put pressure on your stomach while you are sleeping
Step 2. See your doctor
There are many natural remedies you can try to treat ulcer pain. Before resorting to these herbal or homemade solutions, talk to your doctor. Generally, they pose no health risk, but you should make sure they don't interact with any medications you may be taking.
Since some remedies have not been tested on pregnant women, it is important to consult with your doctor about their use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Step 3. Follow a low acid diet
Foods that are too acidic can irritate the ulcer, making the pain worse. Also avoid fried foods and overly fatty foods and avoid drinking alcohol.
Step 4. Drink aloe vera juice
According to some research, aloe vera can help heal stomach ulcers. The juice extracted from this plant relieves inflammation and neutralizes gastric acidity, reducing pain. If you want to use it, drink 120ml of organic aloe vera juice. You can sip it throughout the day. However, since aloe vera can have laxative effects, do not consume more than 230-460ml per day.
Make sure you buy a product that has a high concentration of aloe vera. Avoid juices that contain added sugar or fruit juices
Step 5. Drink herbal tea
Ginger and chamomile are excellent anti-inflammatories that can soothe stomach irritation and reduce nausea and vomiting. Fennel helps calm the stomach and reduce stomach acid. Mustard also has anti-inflammatory properties and neutralizes the action of gastric juices. Try to prepare:
- Ginger tea: infuse the ready-made sachets or cut 2, 5 g of fresh ginger and leave it in boiling water for 5 minutes. Sip herbal tea throughout the day, especially 20-30 minutes before meals.
- Fennel tea: crush 2.5 g of fennel seeds and steep for 5 minutes in 240 ml of boiling water. Add some honey for flavor and drink 2 or 3 cups a day about 20 minutes before meals.
- Mustard tea: Dissolve powdered or prepared mustard in hot water. Alternatively, you can take 2.5 g of mustard by mouth.
- Chamomile tea: infuse the ready-made sachets or pour 5-8 g of chamomile into 240 ml of boiling water and leave it to infuse for 5 minutes.
Step 6. Take the licorice root
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root is commonly used to treat peptic ulcer, canker sores, and gastroesophageal reflux. Take it following the instructions on the package (you can find it in chewable tablets). You will likely need to take 2-3 tablets every 4-6 hours. It will take some time to get used to the flavor, but licorice root can soothe your stomach, keep hyperacidity at bay, and relieve pain.
