How to stop bleeding from a gastric ulcer?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 15, 2025
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Gastric ulcer bleeding is a relatively common complication. Treatment methods can be selected based on the endoscopic characteristics of the bleeding lesion. Active bleeding can be treated with acid-suppressing medications such as proton pump inhibitors, combined with endoscopic treatment, and if necessary, vascular interventional treatment or surgery. For those with blood clots, proton pump inhibitors can also be chosen, with endoscopic treatment if necessary. During endoscopy, fibrin glue can be sprayed on the surface of the ulcer, adrenaline can be injected at the bleeding site, and endoscopic hemostatic clip techniques can be used. During treatment, it’s important to adjust the diet. For those with significant bleeding, temporary parenteral nutrition should be chosen, and no food should be consumed to avoid further gastrointestinal irritation. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What should I do if there is bleeding from a gastric ulcer?

If there is only a small amount of bleeding in gastric ulcer bleeding, manifested as black stool without any other special discomfort symptoms, this condition can be treated with oral medication in an outpatient setting. The treatment plan is usually determined based on the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection. For those with Helicobacter pylori infection, a quadruple therapy is generally used for eradication treatment. For those without the infection, proton pump inhibitors are the preferred choice, combined with medications that protect the gastric mucosa, and so on. If there is a significant amount of bleeding, with symptoms like vomiting blood, this situation requires timely hospital treatment, usually involving fasting and intravenous fluid therapy. If medical treatment is ineffective, a combined medical and surgical approach may be necessary. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Gastric ulcer clinical symptoms

Gastric ulcers are a common clinical manifestation, with diverse symptoms. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or early satiety. Typically, the abdominal pain is more noticeable after eating and presents as postprandial abdominal pain, but it can naturally subside after several hours. Of course, when accompanied by complications such as decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting, it can manifest as vomiting blood or bloody stools, with the stools often being loose and black in color. Therefore, clinically, if you encounter situations like bleeding stools or vomiting blood accompanied by abdominal pain, ulcers should be considered, and it is recommended to seek timely treatment at a local hospital. If these conditions are relatively stable, they can be managed with medication.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can gastric ulcers be cured?

Gastric ulcers are classified into benign and malignant types. Most duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers are benign and can be cured through medication. Treatment plans are usually determined based on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection can be treated with antibacterial therapy. If there is no infection, symptomatic treatment alone is generally sufficient for a cure. If the ulcer is malignant or is a giant ulcer, surgical treatment is generally required. For those who cannot undergo surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be needed. Generally, the prognosis for malignant ulcers is worse than for benign ulcers.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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How is a gastric ulcer diagnosed?

Gastric ulcers can generally be diagnosed through gastroscopy. They are commonly found in middle-aged and elderly patients, particularly those between the ages of 30-40. Some patients present with abdominal pain, bloating, and general discomfort, while a small number of patients might not experience abdominal pain but present with gastrointestinal bleeding, indicated by black stools or blood in stool. Therefore, if abdominal pain is suspected, it is generally recommended that patients undergo routine blood tests and gastroscopy, among other examinations. The abdominal pain from gastric ulcers usually manifests as upper abdominal pain, occurring in episodic attacks, with chronic and recurrent episodes and a long history of illness. Symptoms typically worsen after eating but may gradually alleviate on their own. Of course, taking some stomach-protecting medication can help manage the condition. A small portion of patients may also experience nausea and belching, which are nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. If gastric ulcers are suspected, further screening for Helicobacter pylori is usually conducted. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does gastric ulcer require hospitalization?

Whether a stomach ulcer requires hospitalization depends on the condition. For minor ulcers, if the pain is mild and there are no significant symptoms of vomiting or nausea, treatment can be managed with medication, such as drugs that inhibit stomach acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. It is also important to regulate diet, eat soft foods, avoid cold, spicy foods, and alcohol, as symptoms can gradually ease. If the ulcer is larger and exhibits perforation or bleeding, hospital treatment is necessary, usually involving a significant portion of the stomach being surgically removed to completely cure the ulcer. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)