Some stomach ulcers may go away on their own without treatment, especially if you follow a strict diet and avoid triggers. However, ulcers can worsen if left untreated, so it is best to seek medical attention to prevent complications such as internal bleeding. Even with treatment, though, there is a chance that the stomach ulcer will come back.
Stomach ulcers are most likely to persist or recur even after treatment in the following conditions:
- Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
- Regular tobacco use
- Regular use of pain relief medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or gastrinoma (a rare condition in which a tumor of acid-producing cells forms in the digestive tract)
- Crohn's disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD)
- Stomach cancer
How are stomach ulcers treated?
Depending on the cause, initial treatment of stomach ulcers usually includes medications:
- Antibiotics: If your doctor detects an H pylori infection, they may recommend a combination of antibiotics for 2 weeks. These may include:
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs are a class of medications that reduce the production of stomach acid by blocking the cells that produce the acid. These drugs include:
- Histamine (H-2) blockers: Also called acid blockers, these drugs reduce the amount of stomach acid released into the digestive tract and help heal the ulcer. These drugs include:
- Antacids: These are combinations of medicines that neutralize stomach acid and provide rapid pain relief. One such popular antacid is bismuth subsalicylate. Unlike proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers, these do not have any role in ulcer healing. Ingredients include:
- Aluminum hydroxide
- Magnesium carbonate
- Magnesium trisilicate
- Magnesium hydroxide
- Calcium carbonate
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Cytoprotective agents: These medications protect the lining of the stomach and prevent further ulcer formation. These include:
If you have serious complications from an ulcer, such as bleeding or perforation, you may require surgery.
SLIDESHOW
Super Tips to Boost Digestive Health: Bloating, Constipation, and More See SlideshowWhat causes stomach ulcers?
Contrary to the previous misconception that stress or certain foods cause stomach ulcers, studies suggest that the two most common causes of stomach ulcers are:
- H pylori bacteria
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
H pylori bacteria
H pylori bacterium commonly infects the stomach, although not everyone with an infection will develop symptoms. About 50% of the world’s population has an H pylori infection, but only about 10%-15% develop stomach ulcers.
H pylori causes inflammation of the stomach and damages its protective lining. When acid breaks through the lining and further irritates it, it can lead to a stomach ulcer.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs can wear away at the protective mucus layer in the digestive tract, including the stomach. NSAIDs include:
The risk of developing stomach ulcers increases with H pylori infection and frequent, higher doses of NSAIDs. Other risk factors include:
- Age 70 or older
- Female sex
- History of ulcers
- Family history of ulcers
- Liver, kidney, or lung diseases
- Use of corticosteroids and NSAIDs at the same time
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Alcohol intake
- Smoking
Health News
- What Is Avascular Necrosis and How Does It Affect Bones?
- The Arch of the Human Foot Was Key to Upright Walking, Scientists Say
- Worried About Cataracts? Here's What You Need to Know
- FDA Issues Warning About Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic
- Sick Restaurant Workers Fuel Many Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
More Health News »
What are the signs and symptoms of a stomach ulcer?
Stomach ulcer symptoms depend on the severity of the condition.
The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of the upper abdomen (near the solar plexus). The pain is more intense when the stomach is empty and lasts for a few to several hours. Other common signs and symptoms include:
- Pain that is relieved when eating or drinking
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Early satiety
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
Over time, stomach ulcers can also cause:
- Anemia (reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin)
- Dark, tarry stools
- Bloody or brown vomit
How are stomach ulcers diagnosed?
Typically, symptoms and physical examination are enough for your doctor to diagnose a stomach ulcer. However, to confirm a diagnosis, your doctor may order a barium meal and endoscopy tests:
- Barium meal involves liquid ingestion, followed by a series of X-rays of the stomach and intestine. If you have a stomach ulcer, the X-ray will show that portion in the stomach highlighted by the liquid.
- Endoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible long tube-like camera (endoscope) into the mouth that reaches the stomach and small intestine. The procedure allows your doctor to visualize the inside of the stomach for any signs of ulcers. A small piece of the lining may be removed to test for H pylori.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Anand BS. Peptic Ulcer Disease. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/181753-overview
Top Do Stomach Ulcers Go Away on Their Own Related Articles
Best Foods and Drinks To Eat and Not Eat When You Have a Stomach Ulcer
What Is a Stomach Ulcer? Learn what foods and drinks you can and cannot eat to relieve and help heal your symptoms.
Can Crohn's Disease Be Cured With Surgery?
While Crohn’s surgery cannot cure the disease, it can improve your quality of life as long as you take the proper steps to minimize further complications, such as taking the medication prescribed by your doctor.
Crohn's Disease Quiz
What causes Crohn's disease? What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? How is Crohn's treated? Take this quiz to get the facts about Crohn's.
Crohn's Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diet
What is Crohn's disease? Get more information on this digestive disorder and how Crohn's can affect your diet. Learn more about tests to diagnose Crohn's disease, as well as treatments for Crohn's.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a change in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include viral, bacterial, or parasite infection, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and drugs. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Visual Guide to Stomach Ulcers
Learn about the causes and symptoms of stomach ulcers, and find out which kinds of treatment can help.
Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
Most people with diverticulosis have few if any symptoms at all. When people do experience signs and symptoms of diverticulosis (diverticular disease) they may include abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticula in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Treatment methods for diverticulitis include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
Do Stomach Ulcers Go Away?
Stomach ulcers are sores on the inner lining of the stomach. Stomach ulcer symptoms may go away after some time, but the ulcer may still be there.
H. pylori (Helicobacter Pylori) Infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that causes chronic inflammation (gastritis) of the inner lining of the stomach, and also is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. About 50% of people in the world carries or is infected with H. pylori. Common symptoms of H. pylori infection are occasional abdominal discomfort, bloating, belching or burping, and nausea and vomiting. H. pylori infection is difficult to eradicate, and treatment is with two or more antibiotics.
How Do They Fix a Perforated Duodenal Ulcer?
Omental patching is a surgical procedure for treating perforated ulcers. It is also called a Graham patch. This procedure uses a patch of the omentum to repair the injury. A laparoscopic omental patch closure of the perforated duodenal ulcer has become increasingly common. Complications include paralytic Ileus (paralysis of the small intestine), bleeding, infection, abscess (pus) formation, gastric outlet obstruction, necrosis (tissue death), and post-operative leak.
Intestinal Gas and Gas Pain
Intestinal gas and painful bloating are common. Learn about what causes gas pain and how eliminating certain foods from your diet can help relieve symptoms.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Ulcers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and more. One common side effect of NSAIDs is peptic ulcer (ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking NSAIDs.
Peptic Ulcer (Stomach Ulcer)
Peptic or stomach ulcers are ulcers in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Learn about symptoms, causes, diet, and treatment.
Peptic Ulcer Picture
A hole in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. See a picture of Peptic Ulcer and learn more about the health topic.