How to treat gastric ulcers?

Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

The treatment of gastric ulcers mainly consists of general management and pharmacotherapy. General management involves patients avoiding spicy, stimulating, and cold foods, eating regular meals, and avoiding medications that may harm the stomach, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pharmacotherapy mainly includes gastroprotective therapy and treatment against Helicobacter pylori. Gastroprotective therapy includes neutralizing stomach acid with agents such as magnesium carbonate chewing tablets, acid-suppressing medications like proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists, pantoprazole, cimetidine, etc. Medications to protect the gastric mucosa, such as sucralfate, bismuth preparations, etc., are also used. Treatment against Helicobacter pylori mainly includes triple and quadruple therapy. Triple therapy involves a proton pump inhibitor or a bismuth agent combined with two types of antibiotics, and quadruple therapy consists of a proton pump inhibitor, a bismuth agent, and two types of antibiotics. Antibiotics commonly used include amoxicillin, clarithromycin, furazolidone, levofloxacin, metronidazole, tetracycline, etc. Treatment generally lasts seven to ten days, with overall therapy for gastric ulcers spanning about a month. (Please undertake any medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

What to eat for nutrition when suffering from bleeding gastric ulcers?

This condition should be a benign gastric ulcer with bleeding, during the recovery period after treatment. In addition to adhering to medical advice and maintaining medication, daily living habits are especially important. The stomach needs care; firstly, it is essential to quit smoking and drinking, avoid getting cold, and one can engage in appropriate activity, but avoid strenuous sports. Regarding diet, it should consist of light, easily digestible foods, such as soft rice, noodles, and porridge, among others. In particular, various fresh vegetables and fruits should be chosen. Try to avoid consuming too much raw, greasy, spicy foods, and alcoholic beverages. Patients with gastric ulcers need to have regular check-ups, and it's also important to maintain a positive mindset.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal?

Gastric ulcers are a very common disease in gastroenterology. For minor ulcers, adjustments in diet, quitting smoking and drinking, consuming more green vegetables, getting more rest, and reducing mental stress can gradually lead to recovery. More severe ulcers require active medication use. To achieve ulcer healing, the course of acid-reducing medication usually lasts four to six weeks. Commonly used medications include those that inhibit gastric acid secretion, such as HR receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, as well as some bismuth agents and weakly alkaline antacids to protect the stomach lining. Meanwhile, dietary management should be strengthened. Through effective medical treatment, the healing rate of gastric ulcers can reach over 95%. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
40sec home-news-image

What foods to eat for gastric ulcers?

People with stomach ulcers should eat foods that are easy to digest and high in protein and vitamins, such as soft rice, porridge, and noodles. Foods rich in protein include fish, milk, and walnuts. Foods high in vitamins include tomatoes, carrots, bean sprouts, and spinach. Patients with stomach ulcers should avoid spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, garlic, leeks, and ginger, as well as seasonings like cinnamon, star anise, and Sichuan pepper. They should also avoid overly acidic foods, raw and cold foods, fried foods, and foods that are high in rough fiber.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
44sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for gastric ulcers?

Gastric ulcer is a gastrointestinal disease. Therefore, it requires consultation in the department of gastroenterology or gastroenterology clinic. Gastric ulcer is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, inappropriate medication use, irregular diet, or certain psychological factors, and can arise in emergency situations. It presents with periodic, rhythmic upper abdominal pain, more often occurring in the autumn and winter seasons, and can be diagnosed through gastroscopy. For treatment, methods mainly include triple therapy or quadruple therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori and facilitate gastric recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Medications for treating gastric ulcers

Here I will introduce several major types of medications for treating gastric ulcers, but specific medication use should be consulted with a doctor or pharmacist according to individual conditions. The first major type is anti-gastric acid medications. Since gastric acid plays a significant role in ulcerative lesions, it is considered appropriate to treat gastric ulcers by adjusting the stomach environment to a pH of 3.5. Anti-acid medications include antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and others. The second major type is gastric mucosal protectants, which include some class B drugs, prostaglandin derivatives, and some containing sucralfate. The third major type is medications that treat Helicobacter pylori, with quadruple therapy currently being a common practice. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.