Peptic Ulcer Cures

Peptic ulcers are open sores in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum of the small intestine. These ulcers are created by stomach acid and a digestive stomach enzyme called pepsin. There are a few treatments for peptic ulcers, but the type of treatment depends on what has caused the ulcer to begin.

Two Main Causes

• It used to be thought that stress and diet were main contributors to ulcers, but now medical professionals are pointing at two other culprits: the Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) bacteria and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). An ulcer caused by the H. Pylori bacteria is typically treated with a series of medications, and an ulcer caused by an NSAID usually subsides when a person has stopped using the drug responsible for it.

Triple Therapy

• Triple therapy is one series of medications used to treat a peptic ulcer caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. During this treatment, which takes about two weeks, a patient takes:
  -Bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto-Bismol) four times per day
  -Tetracycline (antibiotic) four times per day
  -Metronidazole (antibiotic) three times per day

Dual Therapy

• Dual therapy is another treatment option for peptic ulcers caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. It was developed for patients who did not respond well the complexity and side effects of triple therapy. The simplified dual therapy also usually lasts about two weeks and consists of taking:
  -Amoxicillin (antibiotic) three times per day
  -Metronidazole (antibiotic) three times per day

Avoiding NSAIDs

• When a person's peptic ulcer is caused by an NSAID such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, treatment usually consists of halting the NSAID that caused the ulcer. The reason the ulcer developed was because one of these drugs damaged the mucous layer of the stomach and/or impeded upon the stomach's capacity to heal itself. In addition to being instructed to stop taking the responsible medication, a person with an NSAID-related ulcer may also be prescribed antacids, drugs called H2-blockers, or proton-pump inhibitors to decrease the amount of acid being produced in the stomach.

Lifestyle Changes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, about 5 to 10 percent of Americans get a peptic ulcer during their lifetime. Some factors that may make a person more likely to get a peptic ulcer include smoking, drinking, consuming aspirin and prior ulcers. Someone who already has an ulcer is encouraged abstain from smoking, drinking and taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, even if the person's ulcer was caused by the H. Pylori bacteria.

Symptoms

• Though some ulcers produce no noticeable symptoms, if you have an ulcer you may experience one or many of the following:
  -A gnawing/burning sensation in the abdomen between the breastbone and the navel
  -Weight loss
  -Appetite loss
  -Nausea
  -Fatigue
  -Weakness
  -Blood in stool or vomit

  If you suspect that you have an ulcer, make an appointment with a physician as soon as possible. The last three symptoms on the list may be caused by a bleeding ulcer, a severe condition that may require surgery.