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Relief of Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

A peptic ulcer is a sore that can occur in the stomach, esophagus or small intestine. Peptic ulcers are caused by bacterial infections or a reaction to medicine. The most common symptoms of peptic ulcers are stomach pain and cramping. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10 percent of the American population will have ulcers at some point their lives. Medication is available to both heal peptic ulcers and provide symptom relief.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Though it was once thought that eating spicy food and stress caused peptic ulcers, it is now known that the bacteria H. pylori is the cause. When a doctor treats a peptic ulcer, he aims to kill off the bacteria and cut down the levels of acid in your stomach to promote healing. Unfortunately, H. pylori is difficult to fight off, so your doctor will most likely prescribe three antibiotics, Amoxil, Biaxin and Flagyl, to treat the infection. Also available are the drugs Prevpac and Helidac, which combine two antibiotics with an acid reducer. According to the Mayo Clinic, you will need to be on antibiotics for at least two weeks before the H. pylori infection is under control.

    Antacids and Acid Blockers

    • While the antibiotics are fighting off the bacteria, your doctor will prescribe medication that reduce the acid in your digestive system. Because acid causes irritation, cutting down the levels will also provide you relief from abdominal pain. Antacids work by taking away acid in the stomach and provide quick relief. Acid blockers function by cutting down the amount of acid your digestive system produces. These drugs, such as Zantac and Pepsid, are available over the counter and also provide pain relief while your digestive tract heals.

    Protein Pump Inhibitors

    • These medications work by shutting down the pumps inside the cells that produce acid. Most often, these drugs are prescribed for people with chronic acid issues or are hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer. Drugs in this class include Prilosec, Protonix and Prevacid. These drugs also work by inhibiting H. pylori from reproducing in the system. People who take protein pump inhibitors should consult with their doctor as there is an increased chance of hip fracture and calcium supplements may be necessary.

    Diet

    • Although food and stress do not cause ulcers, while you are recovering from one it is good to modify what you eat and drink. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is best to avoid foods that are overly acidic or spicy because they can upset your stomach. Also, do not drink alcohol while recovering from a peptic ulcer because alcohol can inflame the lining of your stomach and cause bleeding. Also, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, drinking aloe juice can help with the healing of ulcers since it stimulates the production of pepsin, an enzyme that aids with digestion.

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