Gastric Ulcer
A gastric ulcer is an open sore that forms in the stomach’s inner lining when the protective mucus layer breaks down and stomach acid damages the tissue beneath. The most common triggers are infection with the bacterium H. pylori and prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Stress and spicy food alone rarely cause ulcers, though they can worsen symptoms.
Key takeaways
- H. pylori infection and NSAID use are major causes, and management differs depending on which is present.
- Acid suppression supports healing, but an infection needs eradication treatment and ongoing NSAID exposure needs review.
- Vomiting blood, black stools or faintness can signal bleeding and require urgent care.
An ulcer medicine listing cannot establish the cause of upper-abdominal pain; testing and medication history determine the appropriate treatment.
How is a gastric ulcer confirmed?
Burning upper-abdominal pain, nausea and early fullness can occur, but symptoms alone do not distinguish an ulcer from reflux or other disease. Testing for H. pylori and, when indicated, endoscopy can identify the cause and check that a suspicious ulcer is not malignant.
What helps an ulcer heal?
Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid while the lining repairs. Confirmed H. pylori requires a prescribed combination chosen for local resistance and prior antibiotic exposure. Misoprostol may protect against NSAID-related injury in selected patients but is unsuitable during pregnancy. See digestive health for medicine-group context.
When to seek urgent care
Seek emergency care for vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, black tarry stools, fainting, a rapid heartbeat, sudden severe abdominal pain or a rigid abdomen. These can indicate major bleeding or perforation.