Can people with peptic ulcers exercise?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on April 02, 2025
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Peptic ulcers are generally classified into duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers, along with mixed gastric-duodenal ulcers, etc. Clinically, they can generally be divided into acute active phase, healing phase, scar phase, etc. Generally speaking, patients with active peptic ulcers, in addition to standard medication, need absolute rest and must not overexert themselves. If it is in the remission or healing phase of peptic ulcer, in addition to developing good eating habits, one should also be cautious not to overexert; some light activities are still acceptable. Additionally, regular gastroscopy check-ups are necessary.

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

Milk is very common in our daily lives and contains a wide range of nutrients. For example, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc., have a high nutritional value, so currently there are many people who drink milk. As for whether people with peptic ulcers can drink milk, opinions vary. Some say it is possible, while others say it is not; it really depends on the specific situation. If it is the acute phase of a peptic ulcer, often accompanied by excessive stomach acid, it is generally best to avoid drinking milk. This is because drinking milk might stimulate the secretion of stomach acid. If it is the healing phase of a peptic ulcer, drinking small amounts of milk can be helpful. At the same time, try to avoid drinking milk that is too cold.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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The main symptoms of peptic ulcers

Common types of peptic ulcers, including gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and anastomotic ulcers after gastric resection, share common characteristics and have their own distinct symptoms. Abdominal pain is a usual symptom. The pain from duodenal bulb ulcers tends to be dull, bloating, or blunt, and it is generally more noticeable when hungry. The pain often eases after eating as food neutralizes stomach acid. Sometimes, there is pain at night. If the ulcer is beyond the bulb or is a penetrating ulcer, it often comes with back pain; gastric ulcers primarily manifest as postprandial pain, meaning pain occurring half an hour to an hour after eating, which gradually alleviates; complex ulcers often present with both types of symptoms mentioned above. As peptic ulcers are often associated with excessive stomach acid, symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, and nausea are common.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Etiology of Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so on. It is currently believed that about 80% of peptic ulcers are related to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, poor dietary and living habits are closely linked to the formation of peptic ulcers, such as excessive smoking and drinking, overeating cold, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, as well as strong tea, coffee, etc. Moreover, many medications can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric ulcers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, emotional excitement and major trauma and other stress responses can also lead to acute gastric mucosal lesions, resulting in peptic ulcers.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can peptic ulcers be cured completely?

Peptic ulcers, including gastric ulcers and duodenal bulb ulcers, can generally be completely cured in most cases. Treatment plans are usually determined based on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is an infection with Helicobacter pylori, quadruple therapy is typically used to eradicate the bacteria. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient. Some patients may experience recurrent peptic ulcers, which are usually caused by several factors. Firstly, the failure to completely eradicate Helicobacter pylori can lead to recurrent ulcers. Additionally, the recurrence of ulcers might also be facilitated by poor dietary and lifestyle habits after the ulcers have healed, such as long-term alcohol abuse, smoking, or consumption of spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Asymptomatic peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers typically include duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers. They more or less have typical related symptoms, such as long-term, recurrent, regular upper abdominal pain related to eating, along with symptoms like acid reflux. Diagnosis can be confirmed through gastroscopy. A small portion of patients, especially middle-aged and elderly patients with a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) year-round. This situation can easily lead to the occurrence of acute gastric mucosal lesions and often results in asymptomatic gastric ulcers. Many patients present with symptoms like vomiting blood and black stools when they seek medical advice.