Peptic ulcers Kōmaoa ki te kiri puku o roto
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine (small bowel).
Causes of a peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcers form when digestive juices damage the lining of your stomach or intestine.
The most common causes of peptic ulcers are:
- infection with a germ (bacterium) called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
H. Pylori - long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and aspirin — these medicines are usually used as pain relief
- smoking, which increases your risk of getting an ulcer and makes healing slower.
Stress, spicy foods, coffee and alcohol do not cause ulcers, but they can make your symptoms worse and slow down healing.
When there is an ulcer in the lining of your stomach, it is called a stomach or gastric ulcer. When the ulcer is in the upper part of your small intestine it is called a duodenal ulcer. The term peptic ulcer can apply to either of these.
You can watch a video to learn more about where and how a peptic ulcer develops.
Symptoms of a peptic ulcer
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the middle of your stomach. The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours. It may be worse between meals and at night.
Other symptoms may include:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- heartburn
- bloating or feeling very full after a meal
- poor appetite
- losing weight.
Complications of peptic ulcers
Occasionally people get very unwell with a peptic ulcer because it can:
- bleed internally
- cause a hole in your stomach or small intestine
- cause a blockage in your digestive system.
You should see your healthcare provider immediately if you:
- have dark, sticky, tar-like bowel motions
- throw up (vomit) blood
- have a sudden, sharp pain in your stomach that gets steadily worse.
Diagnosing a peptic ulcer
To find out if you have a peptic ulcer, your healthcare provider may examine you and ask you about your symptoms and what medicines you take. You may need to have a blood test and provide a poo (stool) sample to check to see if you have H. pylori.
You may need a gastroscopy (also called an endoscopy) to confirm you have a peptic ulcer. This is where a specialist doctor passes a long, thin flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end down through your mouth and into your stomach.
If the doctor sees an ulcer, they can take a small sample (biopsy) to check what kind of ulcer it is, so you get the right treatment. They can test you for H. pylori at the same time.
Treating a peptic ulcer
The main treatment for peptic ulcers is medicine that cuts down the amount of acid your stomach makes, known as a proton pump inhibitor. These medicines include lansoprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole.
If you have an H. pylori infection, you will also need antibiotics to treat this.
If your ulcer was caused by medicines such as NSAIDs, your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you stop taking these.
If your ulcer is severe and causes problems such as bleeding, perforation or a blockage, you will need surgery.
Self care for a peptic ulcer
You can make some lifestyle changes that may help to reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals:
- eat well and have small regular meals
- leave at least 3 hours between eating and lying down
- avoid or limit alcohol
- reduce stress if possible
- stop smoking.
There is no specific diet that has been proven to help people with ulcers feel better. But eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and other foods with fibre might help lower the risk of future ulcers.