Break in lining of stomach, upper small intestine, or lower esophagus. Commonly caused by Heliobacter Pylori.Encyclopedia Entry for Peptic Ulcer :Peptic ulcer disease - discharge. You have peptic ulcer disease (PUD). You may have had tests to help diagnose your ulcer. One of these tests may have been to look for bacteria in your stomach called Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ). This type of infection is a common cause of ulcers. Most peptic ulcers will heal within about 4 to 6 weeks after treatment begins. DO NOT stop taking the medicines you have been prescribed, even if symptoms go away quickly.People with PUD should eat a healthy balanced diet. It does not help to eat more often or increase the amount of milk and dairy products you consume. These changes may even cause more stomach acid. Avoid foods and drinks that cause discomfort for you. For many people these include alcohol, coffee, caffeinated soda, fatty foods, chocolate, and spicy foods. Avoid eating late night snacks. Other things you can do to ease your symptoms and help healing include: If you smoke or chew tobacco, try to quit. Tobacco will slow the healing of your ulcer and increase the chance that the ulcer will come back. Talk to your doctor about getting help for quitting tobacco use. Try to reduce your stress level and learn ways to better manage stress. Avoid drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. Take all medicines with plenty of water.The standard treatment for a peptic ulcer and an H pylori infection uses a combination of medicines that you take for 5 to 14 days. Most people will take two types of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). These medicines may cause nausea, diarrhea, and other side effects. DO NOT just stop taking them without talking to your provider first. If you have an ulcer without an H pylori infection, or one that is caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs, you will likely need to take a proton pump inhibitor for 8 weeks. Taking antacids as needed between meals, and then at bedtime, may help healing also. Ask your provider about taking these medicines. Talk to your provider about your medicine choices if your ulcer was caused by aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs. You may be able to take a different anti-inflammatory drug. Or, your provider may have you take a drug called misoprostol or a PPI to prevent future ulcers.You will have follow-up visits to see how your ulcer is healing especially if the ulcer was in the stomach. Your provider may want to perform an upper endoscopy after treatment to make sure healing has taken place. You will also need follow-up testing to check that the H pylori bacteria are gone. You should wait at least 2 weeks after therapy is completed to be retested. Test results before that time may not be accurate.Get medical help right away if you: Develop sudden, sharp abdominal pain Have a rigid, hard abdomen that is tender to the touch Have symptoms of shock, such as fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion Vomit blood See blood in your stool (maroon, dark, or tarry black stools) Call your provider if: You feel dizzy or light-headed You have ulcer symptoms You feel full after eating a small meal portion You experience unintentional weight loss You are vomiting You lose your appetite.Ulcer - peptic - discharge; Ulcer - duodenal - discharge; Ulcer - gastric - discharge; Duodenal ulcer - discharge; Gastric ulcer - discharge; Dyspepsia - ulcer - discharge.Chan FKL, Lau JYW. Peptic ulcer disease.Encyclopedia Entry for Peptic Ulcer :Peptic ulcer. Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines can protect itself against strong stomach acids. But if the lining breaks down, the result may be: Swollen and inflamed tissue ( gastritis ) An ulcer Stomach ulcer Watch this video about: Stomach ulcer Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole in the stomach or duodenum is called a perforation. This is a medical emergency. Ulcer emergencies The most common cause of ulcers is infection of the stomach by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ). Most people with peptic ulcers have these bacteria living in their digestive tract. Yet, many people who have these bacteria in their stomach do not develop an ulcer. The following factors raise your risk for peptic ulcers: Drinking too much alcohol Regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco Being very ill, such as being on a breathing machine Radiation treatments Stress A rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome causes stomach and duodenal ulcers. Cause of peptic ulcers.Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Some ulcers can cause serious bleeding. Abdominal pain (often in the upper mid-abdomen) is a common symptom. The pain can differ from person to person. Some people have no pain. Pain occurs: In the upper abdomen At night and wakes you up When you feel an empty stomach, often 1 to 3 hours after a meal Other symptoms include: Feeling of fullness and problems drinking as much fluid as usual Nausea Vomiting Bloody or dark, tarry stools Chest pain Fatigue Vomiting, possibly bloody Weight loss Ongoing heartburn.To detect an ulcer, you may need a test called an upper endoscopy (EGD). This is a test to check the lining of the food pipe, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat. This test most often requires sedation given through a vein. In some cases, a smaller endoscope may be used that is passed into the stomach through the nose. This does not require sedation. Gastroscopy procedure EGD is done on most people when peptic ulcers are suspected or when you have: Low blood count (anemia) Trouble swallowing Bloody vomit Bloody or dark and tarry-looking stools Lost weight without trying Other findings that raise a concern for cancer in the stomach Testing for H pylori is also needed. This may be done by biopsy of the stomach during endoscopy or by a urea breath test. Other tests you may have include: Hemoglobin blood test to check for anemia Stool occult blood test to test for blood in your stool Sometimes, you may need a test called an upper GI series. A series of x-rays are taken after you drink a thick substance called barium. This does not require sedation.Your doctor will recommend medicines to heal your ulcer and prevent a relapse. The medicines will: Kill the H pylori bacteria, if present. Reduce acid levels in the stomach. These include H2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as pantoprozole. Take all of your medicines as you have been told. Other changes in your lifestyle can also help. If you have a peptic ulcer with an H pylori infection, the standard treatment uses different combinations of the following medicines for 7 to 14 days: Two different antibiotics to kill H pylori. PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or esomeprazole (Nexium). Bismuth (the main ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) may be added to help kill the bacteria. You will likely need to take a PPI for 8 weeks if: You have an ulcer without an H pylori infection. Your ulcer is caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs. Your doctor may also prescribe this type of medicine regularly if you continue taking aspirin or NSAIDs for other health conditions. Other medicines used for ulcers are: Misoprostol, a medicine that may help prevent ulcers in people who take NSAIDs on a regular basis Medicines that protect the tissue lining, such as sucralfate If a peptic ulcer bleeds a lot, an EGD may be needed to stop the bleeding. Methods used to stop the bleeding include: Injecting medicine in the ulcer Applying metal clips or heat therapy to the ulcer Surgery may be needed if: Bleeding cannot be stopped with an EGD The ulcer has caused a tear.Peptic ulcers tend to come back if untreated. There is a good chance that the H pylori infection will be cured if you take your medicines and follow your health care provider's advice. You will be much less likely to get another ulcer.Complications may include: Severe blood loss Scarring from an ulcer may make it harder for the stomach to empty Perforation or hole of the stomach and intestines.Get medical help right away if you: Develop sudden, sharp abdominal pain Have a rigid, hard abdomen that is tender to touch Have symptoms of shock , such as fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion Vomit blood or have blood in your stool (especially if it is maroon or dark, tarry black) Call your provider if: You feel dizzy or lightheaded. You have ulcer symptoms.Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Try acetaminophen instead. If you must take such medicines, talk to your provider first. Your provider may: Test you for H pylori before you take these medicines Ask you to take PPIs or an H2 acid blocker Prescribe a medicine called misoprostol The following lifestyle changes may help prevent peptic ulcers: DO NOT smoke or chew tobacco. Avoid alcohol.Ulcer - peptic; Ulcer - duodenal; Ulcer - gastric; Duodenal ulcer; Gastric ulcer; Dyspepsia - ulcers; Bleeding ulcer; Gastrointestinal bleeding - peptic ulcer; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage - peptic ulcer; G.I. bleed - peptic ulcer; H. pylori - peptic ulcer; Helicobacter pylori - peptic ulcer.Taking antacids.Ulcer emergencies Ulcer emergencies Gastroscopy procedure Gastroscopy procedure Location of peptic ulcers Location of peptic ulcers Cause of peptic ulcers Cause of peptic ulcers Stomach disease or trauma Stomach disease or trauma.Chan FKL, Lau JYW. Peptic ulcer disease.