How to Treat Ulcers-6 steps

Ulcers are sores or lesions in your stomach or the upper part of your small intestines. Ulcers develop when the acids that digest foods damage the stomach or intestinal walls. Connected to a variety of causes like stress, diet, and lifestyle, scientists now know that many ulcers are caused by a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. Left untreated, most ulcers will continue to get worse, so it's important to receive a proper diagnosis and make the dietary and lifestyle changes that will allow you to heal fully.
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Part One of Three:
Receiving Medical Treatment
1
Identify the symptoms of ulcers.Abdominal problems are often difficult to diagnose, since the symptoms of any one problem are reminiscent of lots of different kinds of issues, including gastritis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and a variety of other problems. [1]It's important to see your doctor and receive a proper diagnosis if you think you may have an ulcer, so you can receive the proper care. Ulcer symptoms include:
*.Persistent or reoccurring stomach or abdominal pain that interferes with sleep
*.Nausea and vomiting
*.Blood in vomit or stool
*.Gas and bloating
*.Less of appetite
*.Weight loss
2
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.If you're having stomach problems, it's not necessarily an ulcer. Your doctor will talk to you about the history of your symptoms, your diet, and will conduct a physical exam.
*.The doctor may start you on medication to reduce stomach acidity before doing further testing, if your symptoms are mild.
*.Return to the doctor if blood is present in your bowel movements or vomit, or if your symptoms worsen or do not respond to the medication, so you can undergo further testing.
3
Get a diagnosis.Your general practitioner may recommend that you visit a GI specialist, during which time you may go through any of the following tests which can be used to properly diagnose any kind of digestive ulcer:
*.Upper gastrointestinal (GI) x-ray series. After drinking a chalky substance called barium, you will have x-rays taken to look for signs of ulcers in your stomach.
*.Endoscopy. While you are under sedation, the doctor will insert a thin tube with a small camera at the end down your throat and into your stomach. The camera allows the doctor to see inside of your digestive track and tack a tissue sample. This is a simple and almost painless procedure.
*.Blood and stool tests. These will be performed to check for antibodies to H. pylori, a bacteria commonly associated with gastritis and ulcers. A breath test may also be performed, after drinking a substance called urea.
4
Receive a recommendation for treatment from your doctor.Ulcers need to be healed by addressing the particular cases and conditions of the ulcer specific to you. That's why it's important to get a proper diagnosis and follow through with your doctor's recommended treatment if your tests confirm the presence of an ulcer. Most treatments involve medication, eliminating the cause of the ulcer, and allowing it to heal.
*.Often, an H. pylori infection is to blame, in which case the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to eradicate it. In some cases, you may be prescribed an proton-pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec) or an H2 agonist (Pepcid), which blocks the production of acid in your stomach and allows your stomach to heal. [2]
*.In most cases, dietary and lifestyle changes will be recommended, which are discussed in the following sections.
*.In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary for very serious ulcers, or if complications develop as a result of ulcers that go too long without treatment. Most of the time, dietary changes and waiting will heal ulcers completely.
5
Avoid taking NSAIDs and aspirin.Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause ulcers, and will exacerbate the symptoms. Avoid taking NSAIDS while you have an active ulcer, and for extended periods of times thereafter.
*.If you need to take medication to deal with pain symptoms, ask a doctor about your options. In some cases, you might be able to take a NSAID along with an acid reducer, or pursue alternative pain treatments.
6
Use over-the-counter antacids to control your symptoms.Often, an ulcer will feel a lot like some combination of indigestion and heartburn, with burning and nausea in the upper abdomen under the ribs. Antacids can be used to provide temporary help for symptoms, but will not cure ulcers in and of themselves. Some antacids may interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications, so talk to your doctor before taking them. Over the counter antacids choices include:
*.Calcium carbonate, found it products like Tums and Rolaids, is probably the most common OTC antacid. Sodium bicarbonate products such as Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) can also be used to soothe the lining of the stomach, and are widely available.