Peptic Ulcers

• A gnawing or burning pain is felt in the abdomen between the breastbone and navel. The pain often occurs between meals and in the early hours of the morning. It may last from a few minutes to a few hours and may be relieved with eating or antacids.

• Appetite and weight loss.

• Nausea or vomiting dark, red blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

• Bloody, black, or tarry stools.

• Paleness and weakness if anemia is present.

Peptic Ulcers

Food Poisoning

Gallstones

Cirrhosis: Be Kind to Your Liver

Diarrhea

SEE ALL ABDOMINAL & URINARY ARTICLES

Causes

• An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. This is the main cause.

• The repeated use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

A small percentage of peptic ulcers are caused by Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. With this rare disorder, the body makes excess acid.

Family history, smoking, caffeine, and making excess digestive acids play a role in peptic ulcers. So does stress, especially some types of physical stress (e.g., severe burns and major surgery).

Treatment

Treatment includes medicines to treat the problem and surgery, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Do you have any of these problems?

• Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen. It may be felt in the upper left stomach area below the ribs or below the ribs on the right side.

• Vomit bright red blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

• Your stools are bloody, black, or tarry and you are very tired, pale, and weak.

• You have vomiting that persists.

Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.

Question 2

Do you still have symptoms after getting treatment? Or, do you still have problems after using self-care?

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Use Self-Care / Prevention:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

• Take medications as prescribed.

• Eat healthy foods. Include foods high in fiber.

• Don’t have coffee (regular and decaffeinated); tea and soft drinks with caffeine; and fruit juices high in acid like tomato juice. Don’t have alcohol or foods that bother you.

• Don’t use aspirin and other NSAIDs. Follow your doctor’s advice for prescribed NSAIDs.

• Try over-the-counter antacids or acid controllers (with your doctor’s okay). Use them on a short-term basis. Don’t try to self- medicate an ulcer.

• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

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