Common Symptoms and Effective Treatment Options for Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcers can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, with the most common being acid reflux, heartburn, and upper abdominal pain. This pain often occurs after eating and may be accompanied by a feeling of fullness, bloating, or delayed gastric emptying. The discomfort typically comes and goes, but if the pain becomes constant, it could indicate a serious complication such as a perforated ulcer.

In more severe cases, gastric ulcers can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. This may present as vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools—or even bright red blood in the stool. These signs should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

Accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment. When a gastric ulcer is identified through endoscopy and confirmed as a benign lesion, doctors usually recommend testing for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a common cause of ulcers. If the test is negative, treatment typically involves taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, or rabeprazole, along with a mucosal protective agent. This regimen is generally continued for 6–8 weeks.

For H. pylori-positive patients, antibiotic therapy is essential. In these cases, a combination of two antibiotics is added to the treatment plan for 7–14 days, alongside acid-suppressing medications. The total course of treatment still lasts around 6–8 weeks.

Follow-up care ensures proper healing. After completing treatment, a follow-up endoscopy is recommended to confirm that the ulcer has healed. If symptoms persist or the ulcer remains, further biopsies may be necessary to rule out malignant changes or other underlying conditions.

Early detection and tailored treatment significantly improve outcomes for patients with gastric ulcers. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and following medical advice can also help prevent recurrence.