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 Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

How to care for gastric ulcer bleeding

Gastric ulcer bleeding is a relatively common complication. First, it is important to soothe the patient's emotions, encourage rest, reduce mental stress, and pay attention to significant bleeding, which can cause vomiting of blood. It is necessary to promptly clean the blood stains in the mouth to prevent aspiration, provide timely symptomatic treatment, and choose to use proton pump inhibitors combined with endoscopic hemostasis. Vascular intervention or surgery may be required when necessary. Dietary management should be strengthened, with regular meals, consumption of soft, easily digestible food, and avoidance of hard, cold foods. It is crucial to strictly abstain from smoking and alcohol, and to consume less strong tea, coffee, etc., while actively treating any complications. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
1min 3sec home-news-image

What is a stomach ulcer?

Peptic ulcer is caused by long-term Helicobacter pylori infection and the consumption of stomach-irritating medications such as corticosteroids, aspirin, and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as irregular intake of spicy, stimulating, and cold foods, coupled with long-term emergency mental factors, leading to postprandial pain. The main symptoms are periodic rhythmic upper abdominal pain, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux. Diagnosis can be made by performing a gastroscopy. Treatment mainly involves the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and protective stomach treatments among other symptomatic treatments. Complications may include upper gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, pyloric obstruction, and malignant transformation. Dietary recommendations include avoiding smoking, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, indigestible foods, and some stimulating condiments.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of gastric ulcers?

The symptoms of gastric ulcers mainly include upper abdominal pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, early satiety, poor appetite, and indigestion. The characteristic of the upper abdominal pain is that it worsens after eating and decreases or disappears when hungry or on an empty stomach, indicating a regular pattern of pain. For patients exhibiting these symptoms, it is advised to undergo a gastroscopy to confirm the diagnosis. If the gastroscopy reveals ulcers on the gastric mucosa, the diagnosis of gastric ulcers can be confirmed. It is also recommended to conduct a Carbon-14 breath test to determine if there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori. It has been confirmed that Helicobacter pylori can cause peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis among other diseases. If the infection test is positive, eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori is needed.

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
43sec home-news-image

Does gastric ulcer require hospitalization?

Whether a stomach ulcer requires hospitalization depends on the condition. For minor ulcers, if the pain is mild and there are no significant symptoms of vomiting or nausea, treatment can be managed with medication, such as drugs that inhibit stomach acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. It is also important to regulate diet, eat soft foods, avoid cold, spicy foods, and alcohol, as symptoms can gradually ease. If the ulcer is larger and exhibits perforation or bleeding, hospital treatment is necessary, usually involving a significant portion of the stomach being surgically removed to completely cure the ulcer. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)