Can a peptic ulcer heal itself?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Peptic ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are relatively common in clinical settings and generally have a good prognosis. For simple peptic ulcers, patients usually do not exhibit common symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloody stools, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., and these can often heal on their own. However, if a patient experiences typical upper abdominal symptoms like vomiting blood, bloody stools, or significant abdominal pain, especially pain in the lower back, it is advisable for the patient to seek timely treatment at a local hospital for further clarification. In treating this condition, a few points should be noted: First, pay attention to diet and rest, it’s advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol. Second, if peptic ulcers are suspected, one might consider using supplementary oral medications, such as antacids or gastroprotective drugs etc., which generally lead to a good prognosis. Of course, if the patient does not exhibit any special symptoms, regular observation may suffice.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can gastric lavage be performed for peptic ulcer?

Peptic ulcer is one of the common upper gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric ulcer, duodenal bulb ulcer, compound ulcer, etc. In this case, since the ulcer site is often deep, sometimes reaching the base layer, even the serous layer of the gastric mucosa. If gastric lavage is performed too vigorously, gastric perforation may occur. Therefore, generally, gastric lavage is not advocated, but in a few cases, such as organophosphate pesticide poisoning or other drug poisonings, etc. If gastric lavage is not performed promptly, it often leads to serious complications, even life-threatening. Therefore, gastric lavage is still needed in a few cases, and in these situations, the procedure must be gentle and not too prolonged.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to treat peptic ulcers?

The treatment of peptic ulcers should be based on specific causes, as well as the patient's gender, age, medical history, and medication history, among other factors. Generally speaking, the primary cause of peptic ulcers is usually Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, the first step is to test for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori is present, antibacterial treatment is required, with the first choice being quadruple therapy, which includes a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, administered over a 10 to 14-day treatment course. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, the first choice would be proton pump inhibitors and gastric mucosal protective drugs, combined with symptomatic treatment. Meanwhile, it is crucial for patients with peptic ulcers to develop good eating and living habits, and relaxing their mindset can also be helpful.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How is peptic ulcer treated?

The treatment of peptic ulcers mainly depends on their cause. It is generally believed that infection with Helicobacter pylori is most closely related to peptic ulcers. In such cases, the first step is to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is an infection, antibacterial treatment is generally used, with the common regimen being quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics and a bismuth agent. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient. The preferred method is to use acid-suppressing and stomach-lining-protecting medications, combined with symptomatic treatment. At the same time, it is helpful to develop good dietary and living habits, opt for a light and easy-to-digest diet, and eat regularly in fixed amounts. Avoid overeating and excessive fatigue; abstain from smoking and alcohol, and maintaining a good mood all help. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Etiology of Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so on. It is currently believed that about 80% of peptic ulcers are related to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, poor dietary and living habits are closely linked to the formation of peptic ulcers, such as excessive smoking and drinking, overeating cold, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, as well as strong tea, coffee, etc. Moreover, many medications can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric ulcers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, emotional excitement and major trauma and other stress responses can also lead to acute gastric mucosal lesions, resulting in peptic ulcers.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What is peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcer is a common upper gastrointestinal disease, typically caused by the digestive action of stomach acid and pepsin, leading to damage in the mucosal layer of the stomach. Hence, it is called a peptic ulcer, encompassing gastric ulcers as well as duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so forth. The majority of causal factors are due to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors include stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol, poor dietary habits, and medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids. In addition, psychological factors can also lead to the development of peptic ulcers.