Principles of treatment for peptic ulcers

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 07, 2025
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The principles of treatment for peptic ulcers, if malignant ulcers are present, surgical treatment is preferred. For benign peptic ulcers, it is first necessary to cultivate good dietary and living habits, quit smoking and drinking, avoid excessive fatigue, and adhere to a light diet with regular and measured meals, strictly avoiding overeating and binge eating. Meanwhile, the medication treatment should be determined based on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection; if there is an infection, standard antibacterial treatment is required, commonly involving quadruple therapy. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment usually yields satisfactory results. Proton pump inhibitors are the preferred drugs, such as rabeprazole and lansoprazole, combined with gastric mucosal protectants, prokinetic agents, etc. (Medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can a peptic ulcer heal itself?

Peptic ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are relatively common in clinical settings and generally have a good prognosis. For simple peptic ulcers, patients usually do not exhibit common symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloody stools, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., and these can often heal on their own. However, if a patient experiences typical upper abdominal symptoms like vomiting blood, bloody stools, or significant abdominal pain, especially pain in the lower back, it is advisable for the patient to seek timely treatment at a local hospital for further clarification. In treating this condition, a few points should be noted: First, pay attention to diet and rest, it’s advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol. Second, if peptic ulcers are suspected, one might consider using supplementary oral medications, such as antacids or gastroprotective drugs etc., which generally lead to a good prognosis. Of course, if the patient does not exhibit any special symptoms, regular observation may suffice.

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Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
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Peptic ulcer is what?

Peptic ulcers are a recurrent, periodic, and rhythmic disease characterized by upper abdominal pain. They mainly occur in the stomach and duodenum. The causes include excessive secretion of gastric acid, reduced protective function of the gastric mucosa, and infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. In terms of symptoms, there is mainly a tenderness in the upper abdomen. For diagnosis, gastroscope can be used to examine the mucosa for the presence of ulcers.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What is peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcer is a common upper gastrointestinal disease, typically caused by the digestive action of stomach acid and pepsin, leading to damage in the mucosal layer of the stomach. Hence, it is called a peptic ulcer, encompassing gastric ulcers as well as duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so forth. The majority of causal factors are due to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors include stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol, poor dietary habits, and medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids. In addition, psychological factors can also lead to the development of peptic ulcers.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can people with peptic ulcers exercise?

The primary cause of peptic ulcers is usually Helicobacter pylori infection, though other factors can also trigger the onset of peptic ulcers, such as tobacco and alcohol irritation, poor dietary habits, and emotional issues. Additionally, excessive fatigue is also one of the causes that can trigger or cause a recurrence of peptic ulcers. Therefore, whether or not a person with peptic ulcers can exercise depends on the specific condition of the illness. If it is an acute active phase or a subacute peptic ulcer that has not fully healed, strict rest is necessary in such cases. If a gastroscopy shows that the ulcer has completely healed, moderate and light activities are permissible, but excessive fatigue should still be avoided.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Causes of Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers, which include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and anastomotic ulcers following gastric surgery, are among the common gastrointestinal diseases. It is currently believed that the infection of Helicobacter pylori is closely associated with gastritis, ulcer activity, gastric cancer, etc., thus, Helicobacter pylori infection is considered the main cause of gastric ulcers. Other factors, such as excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, can also lead to peptic ulcers. Poor dietary and living habits, such as binge eating, excessive consumption of cold, greasy, spicy, or alcoholic foods, can cause this condition as well; moreover, excessive emotional stress, such as long-term mental pressure, can also lead to the development of peptic ulcers.