Guest Author - Linda Hamill

What is an ulcer?

An ulcer is a break in the lining of the stomach or in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Ulcers are like burning pain in your stomach. Only your doctor may do tests to decide if your stomach pain is caused by
an ulcer.

Can Ulcers be serious?

Most people with ulcers have stomach pain. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, ulcers may cause other health problems. Ulcers can bleed. If the ulcers become too deep, they can break through the stomach. Ulcers can block food from going through the intestines. This allows nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

What are the causes of Ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are caused by an infection or heavy aspirin and heavy usage of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen such as Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin. The infection is caused by bacteria (called Helicobacter pylori ("hell-ee-ko-back-ter pie-lore-ee"), or H. pylori for short. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) does not cause stomach ulcers.

How are ulcers treated?

Several medications are available to treat ulcers by healing the tissue/lining tear in the stomach/duodenum. These medicines also make the ulcer symptoms, including the pain, get better. These medications have been around since the 1970’s, and it was found that people were healed for awhile, but their ulcers would return. Science has found out about H. pylori infection which has brought about changes. If you test positive for H. pylori infection, it can be treated, and you probably won't get another ulcer.
How does my doctor know if I have H. pylori infection?
H. pylori infection can be diagnosed with a blood test. Your doctor might also want you to get an x-ray or have endoscopy (an endoscope is a thin tube that carries a tiny camera) to see if you have an ulcer. A simple breath test will also give good results.

What are the medicines used for ulcers?

There are many kinds of medications and all of them do a good job of helping to heal ulcers. Your doctor will recommend the one that is right for you. You should take the medicine just the way your doctor tells you to.
Some reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes. This medicine heals ulcers in the duodenum in 6 to 8 weeks. Stomach ulcers take longer to heal. You would take these medicines for 8 to 12 weeks if you have a stomach ulcer. Your doctor will know which medication(s) are best for you.

A second kind of medication blocks the stomach's ability to make acid. This medicine helps heal duodenal ulcers in 4 weeks. It helps heal stomach ulcers in 6 to 8 weeks.

A third kind of medicine coats the ulcer. It protects the sore place from stomach acid, so it can heal. It takes 8 to 12 weeks to heal an ulcer. Your doctor may have you on more than one medication at a time.

What if I have an ulcer and H. pylori infection?

The medicines noted above heal ulcers. If you have H. pylori infection too, it needs to be treated along with the ulcer problem. H pylori is hard to get rid of. No single drug can cure this infection. The best way to cure H. pylori infection is to take several drugs at the same time.

One combination of drugs for H. pylori infection is two antibiotics plus Pepto-Bismol. Other combinations that use fewer drugs might also help. Your doctor can help decide which medicines you should take. One medicine called lansoprazole (brand name: Prevacid) is taken with an antibiotic. One medicine, called Tritec, combines Pepto-Bismol and a drug to reduce acid in the stomach. It is used with an antibiotic. Helidac is another medicine that combines Pepto-Bismol and two antibiotics.


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