Peptic ulcer Health Article

Symptoms

Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Large ulcers can cause serious bleeding.

Abdominal pain is a common symptom but it doesn't always occur. The pain can differ a lot from person to person. For example, it may get better or worse after eating a meal.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Belching
• Bloody or dark tarry stools
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting, possibly bloody
• Weight loss

Signs and tests

To diagnose an ulcer, your doctor will order one of the following tests:

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a special test performed by a gastroenterologist in which a thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted through your mouth into the GI tract to see your stomach and small intestine. During an EGD, the doctor may take a biopsy from the wall of your stomach to test for H. pylori.
• Upper GI is a series of x-rays taken after you drink a thick substance called barium.

Your doctor may also order these tests:

• Hemoglobin blood test to check for anemia
• Stool guaiac to test for blood in your stool

Treatment

Treatment involves a combination of medications to kill the H. pylori bacteria (if present), reduce acid levels, and protect the GI tract. This strategy allows your ulcer to heal and reduces the chance it will come back.

Take all of your medications exactly as prescribed.

• Acid blockers (such as cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine)
• Antibiotics to kill H. pylori
• Bismuth to help protect the lining and kill the bacteria
• Medications that protect the tissue lining (such as sucralfate)
• Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or esomeprazole (Nexium)

If a peptic ulcer bleeds a lot, an EGD may be needed to stop the bleeding. Surgery may be needed if bleeding cannot be stopped with an EGD, or if the ulcer has caused a perforation.