How long does it take for a stomach ulcer to heal?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on December 09, 2024
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Gastric ulcers are a very common disease in gastroenterology. For minor ulcers, adjustments in diet, quitting smoking and drinking, consuming more green vegetables, getting more rest, and reducing mental stress can gradually lead to recovery. More severe ulcers require active medication use. To achieve ulcer healing, the course of acid-reducing medication usually lasts four to six weeks. Commonly used medications include those that inhibit gastric acid secretion, such as HR receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, as well as some bismuth agents and weakly alkaline antacids to protect the stomach lining. Meanwhile, dietary management should be strengthened. Through effective medical treatment, the healing rate of gastric ulcers can reach over 95%. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What medicine to take for gastric ulcer?

The stomach ulcers referred to here are generally benign gastric ulcers. The treatment plan should be determined based on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, it is first important to develop good dietary and living habits, and then treat the symptoms, such as suppressing stomach acid, protecting the gastric mucosa, and increasing gastric motility. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, antibacterial treatment is needed. Typically, a triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy is used; a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics constitute the triple therapy, and adding a bismuth agent constitutes the quadruple therapy. A course of treatment lasts for two weeks, which generally can eradicate the bacteria for a definitive cure. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a clinical doctor, according to specific conditions.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can you smoke with a stomach ulcer?

Patients with gastric ulcers should not smoke, as the tar and nicotine in tobacco can damage the gastric mucosa and worsen ulcer symptoms. Patients should pay attention to proper rest, reduce mental stress, avoid excessive tension and irritability, develop regular living habits, eat meals at fixed times and in fixed amounts, eat more vegetables and fruits, eat less spicy and greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. It's also important to consume less strong tea and coffee. Actively use medications for treatment, commonly including drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. If there is Helicobacter pylori infection, it is necessary to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
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How should gastric ulcers be treated?

The treatment of gastric ulcers is divided into general treatment and medication treatment. General treatment mainly requires patients to avoid spicy, irritating, and cold foods, maintain a calm mindset, have regular meals, and avoid the use of some drugs that can damage the stomach, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medication treatment can be administered through gastric protection, which includes drugs that neutralize stomach acid, such as magnesium aluminum carbonate chewable tablets. Drugs that suppress stomach acid include proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor blockers. Medications that protect the gastric mucosa include sucralfate, bismuth preparations, etc. Additionally, there is targeted eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori, which clinically includes triple and quadruple therapies. Triple therapy refers to a proton pump inhibitor or a bismuth agent combined with two antibiotics. Quadruple therapy consists of a proton pump inhibitor added to a bismuth agent and two antibiotics, which could include amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, metronidazole, tetracycline, etc. Treatment generally lasts seven to ten days, and the overall treatment for gastric ulcers is typically around one month. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What should be noted for bleeding from gastric ulcers?

After a gastric ulcer bleeds, the first thing to pay attention to is emotional control. Many people will feel emotionally excited and fearful when they experience bleeding and vomiting, and at this time, family members should soothe them promptly; Secondly, dietary adjustments should be made. Eat more soft, easily digestible foods, such as noodles, soft rice, soy milk, eggs, as well as a lot of green vegetables and fresh fruits. Supplementing with vitamin C can help heal the ulcer. In addition, restrict some raw, spicy, and fried foods. You should eat less food that is too sweet, too hot, too acidic, or too salty, and actively quit smoking and drinking.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of gastric ulcer

The clinical manifestations of stomach ulcers can vary from person to person. Some patients are asymptomatic and present to the clinic due to stomach bleeding or perforation. Generally, there are three main characteristics of peptic ulcers: First, they tend to be a chronic, recurrent condition. Second, they exhibit periodicity. Third, they have rhythmic manifestations. The primary symptom is periodic, rhythmic upper abdominal pain, often described as burning, dull, or bloating pain. This usually occurs in the upper abdomen, possibly on the left or right side, and typically manifests as post-meal pain. Nighttime pain is uncommon, and there may be localized tenderness. If the ulcer occurs in the pyloric canal, it may lack some of these typical symptoms. Post-meal intense pain is possible, and the effectiveness of medication is generally poor. This condition can easily lead to vomiting or pyloric obstruction and is also prone to perforation and bleeding. A minority of stomach ulcers may potentially become cancerous.