When the subject of stomach ulcers comes up, you probably imagine someone extremely stressed out or who eats a lot of spicy foods – but that is not the case. A stomach ulcer, or gastric ulcer, is simply a break in the tissue of the stomach lining.
While it was once commonly believed that stress, smoking, and diet were the main causes of stomach ulcers, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is now recognized as being responsible for most duodenal ulcers and 60% of stomach ulcers.
In the U.S., healthcare providers treat approximately 4 million cases of stomach ulcers each year. Since stomach ulcers are common, several treatment options are available, including antibiotics to treat the infection and acid-suppressing drugs.
With a board-certified team of gastroenterologists, Charleston GI is equipped to examine, diagnose, and treat your various GI issues to help improve your health. No referral is required to meet with us, so if you’re in the Charleston area, visit any of our four convenient Charleston GI locations.
Open five days a week, we’re committed to a higher standard of care and provide a range of medical treatments to help you feel your best.
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible can help prevent complications and support healing. Emergency care is necessary for severe pain, bleeding, or sudden chest pain. For non-emergencies, you can schedule an appointment with our team at Charleston GI to gain a better understanding of your symptoms.
Thin, flexible tube inserted through the esophagus into the stomach
Uses a camera to capture detailed images of the stomach lining
Repeated after treatment to confirm healing and rule out cancer
Biopsy
Small tissue sample taken during endoscopy
Tested in a lab to detect signs of infection or cancer
Always performed if a gastric ulcer is found
C14 Breath Test
Detects H. pylori infection
Involves swallowing a small amount of radioactive carbon (C14)
Measures carbon dioxide in exhaled air
Non-radioactive versions are available for children and pregnant women
TREATMENT
Medications
Antibiotics (for H. pylori infection)
Cytoprotective Agents (protect the stomach lining)
Histamine Receptor Blockers (H2 Blockers)
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Other Approaches
Reduce or adjust NSAIDs, aspirin, or arthritis medications to lower stomach irritation
Lifestyle changes: quit smoking, manage stress
Medical Procedures
Endoscopy treatments: cauterize or inject medication to stop bleeding
Surgery for complications:
Remove scar tissue or widen the stomach outlet (pyloroplasty)
Severe nerve triggering stomach acid (vagotomy)
Follow-Up
Breath tests to confirm H. pylori elimination
Ongoing monitoring for persistent or recurrent ulcers
Medications and lifestyle changes are the primary treatments your doctor will recommend. Most ulcers heal without surgery. If complications arise, they may require endoscopic or surgical intervention. Partner closely with your gastroenterologist for the best treatment options for your needs.
PREVENTION
Stomach ulcers can be prevented. To lower your risk of developing a stomach ulcer, avoid using NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for extended periods, stop smoking, limit alcohol, and manage stress. To prevent H. pylori infection, maintain good hygiene, such as washing your hands and practicing safe food handling.
Eating high-fiber foods, fruits, and vegetables can help protect your stomach. In addition, talk to your gastroenterologist about using probiotics to help lower your risk. When taking pain relievers, always take them with food to reduce stomach irritation.
Following these steps can help reduce your risk of developing stomach ulcers. Our team at Charleston GI can help you understand your personal risk factors and how to keep your stomach healthy.
STOMACH ULCER DIET AND LIFESTYLE GUIDE
WHAT TO AVOID
Chronic use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, without doctor approval
Foods and drinks that trigger symptoms, such as:
Fatty or spicy foods
Coffee
Chocolate
Acidic foods and drinks
Carbonated drinks
Smoking
Excess alcohol
WHAT TO DO MORE OFTEN
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Include foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet.
Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
Have your evening meal three to four hours before bedtime
Maintain a healthy weight
Manage stress through relaxation or lifestyle changes
Choosing to focus on gentle, smaller meals and healthy lifestyle habits can be highly beneficial.
Alongside dietary changes, proper stress and weight management support healing, typically resulting in smoother improvement in your health.
Yes. Most stomach ulcers heal in four to six weeks with appropriate treatment. If left untreated, ulcers can cause serious complications, such as bleeding or a hole in the stomach lining.
What causes stomach ulcers?
Most ulcers are caused by:
Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
Long-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
Stress and an unhealthy diet are not the primary causes, although they can worsen symptoms.
Can my lifestyle make ulcers worse?
Yes, lifestyle choices can worsen your ulcer symptoms, such as:
Smoking
Alcohol use
A diet high in spicy, fatty, or acidic foods
These behaviors can irritate your stomach lining and make an existing ulcer hurt even worse.
How common are stomach ulcers?
In the U.S., doctors treat approximately four million ulcers each year, making them very common. Many people diagnosed with ulcers have a specific cause, such as an H. pylori infection or regular NSAID use.
How serious can stomach ulcer complications be?
Stomach ulcers can cause some serious complications if left untreated, including:
Bleeding ulcers: Can cause anemia or, in severe cases, shock
Perforated ulcers: A rare hole in the stomach that can cause infection and sepsis
What other conditions can look like a stomach ulcer?
Stomach ulcers can share similar symptoms with other GI conditions, such as:
Treatment of a stomach ulcer varies depending on the underlying cause. Your doctor may suggest to:
Eliminate the cause: If it’s from NSAIDs, stopping them may help
Take antibiotics: If H. pylori bacteria are present
Use acid-reducing medicines: Protects the stomach lining and helps with healing
With treatment, symptoms improve in days or weeks, but the ulcer itself may take one to three months to heal fully.
Is follow-up needed?
Sometimes. Your doctor may perform a follow-up endoscopy to ensure the ulcer is healing and determine if further treatment is needed.
Will I need surgery?
Usually, surgery is not necessary, as medication is effective for most ulcers. Surgery is needed only if:
The ulcer doesn’t heal
It keeps coming back
It is bleeding
It caused a tear in the stomach
For some rare conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), surgery may reduce acid levels if initial treatment doesn’t work.
How can I prevent stomach ulcers?
You can lower your risk of developing a stomach ulcer by:
Treating H. pylori if infection is present
Using NSAIDs carefully – ensure you’re following your doctor’s instructions
Avoiding irritants, such as smoking, alcohol, and certain medications
What foods and drinks help or irritate ulcers?
Soothing drinks to help ease your ulcer include herbal tea, honey water, aloe vera juice, kefir, and ginger drinks. Some foods to enjoy that are easy on your stomach include yogurt, cooked vegetables, fiber-rich fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and sauerkraut.
Foods/drinks to limit or avoid include:
Acidic foods
Alcohol
Caffeine
Fatty or greasy foods
Milk
Spicy foods
Everyone reacts differently, so pay attention to your body and talk to your gastroenterologist if you experience any new or worsening symptoms.
What is a stomach ulcer?
A stomach ulcer is an open sore in the stomach lining. Stomach acid damages the protective layer, causing a wound. They are most often caused by H. pylori infection or long-term NSAID use. Symptoms can include burning pain, bloating, nausea, and unintentional weight loss.
How treatable are stomach ulcers?
Most ulcers are treatable with medication, including:
Antibiotics for H. pylori
Acid-reducing medicines
Surgery is only needed for severe or complicated cases
Is a stomach ulcer the same as a peptic ulcer?
Not exactly. A stomach ulcer (also called a gastric ulcer) is one type of peptic ulcer.
Peptic ulcer = a sore in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
Stomach (gastric) ulcer = a sore only in the stomach
So, all stomach ulcers are peptic ulcers, but not all peptic ulcers are in the stomach.
SCHEDULE YOUR GI APPOINTMENT TODAY, NO REFERRAL NEEDED
Stomach ulcer symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, so if you suspect you may have an ulcer, get in touch with Charleston GI today.
Our team is skilled in getting to the bottom of your symptoms and treating a variety of GI tract issues. We’re committed to a higher standard of caring, so if you’re experiencing any GI symptoms that you have questions about, schedule your appointment today! No referral needed.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace evaluation or care from a licensed healthcare provider. Screening recommendations and results vary by individual. Viewing this page does not create a doctor-patient relationship.
Stomach ulcer symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, so if you suspect you may have an ulcer, get in touch with Charleston GI today.
