About this topic
A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the gastrointestinal or GI tract. The sore could be in the lining of the food pipe, which is the esophagus. It could be in the stomach or in the upper part of the small bowel. This is the duodenum and is where the stomach ends. ‚
The Helicobacter pylori germ often causes peptic ulcers. These germs hurt the protective lining and let stomach acid get through the lining. The acid is so strong that it causes a hole in the lining of the GI tract. There are also other causes of peptic ulcers. These include use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or lots of acid as seen in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. ‚
Peptic ulcers may be treated and managed by drugs and lifestyle changes. The doctor may suggest surgery in cases of bad peptic ulcers. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Eat small meals more often to avoid belly pain. Avoid food that bothers your stomach. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian.
- Your doctor may suggest a soft diet until you feel better and are ready for normal meals.
- Avoid or limit eating spicy foods. These may raise the acid level in your stomach.
- Avoid or limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid or limit drinking soda or carbonated products.
- Stop smoking. Ask your doctor for help if you find you cannot quit alone.
- Learn how to manage stress. Stress may cause the acid levels in your stomach to rise.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Finish the whole treatment.
- Avoid taking drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen unless ordered by your doctor.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
After any bleeding is stopped, the doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection if the ulcer was caused by H. pylori
- Lower acid in the stomach
- Protect the lining of the stomach
Will physical activity be limited?
Physical activities may be limited if you are having pain. Ask your doctor what is the right kind of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Ask your doctor or dietitian for a personal diet plan. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Internal bleeding
- Swelling or tear of the tissue lining in the digestive tract
- Cancer
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid drugs that bother the lining of the stomach such as ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. If you are taking aspirin for heart disease, talk with your doctor.
- Eat when you are hungry. Avoid going too long in between meals. Avoid foods that make your pain worse.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Very bad pain in the belly, burning pain in the belly that goes away after eating or drinking
- Throwing up blood
- Bloody stool
- Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing
- Very bad dizziness or become cold and clammy
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet.
- I can tell you what I will do if I throw up blood or have bloody or black tarry stools.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/peptic_ulcers.html ‚
National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚