Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach.
Similar ulcers can occur in bit of intestine just beyond the stomach, known as duodenal ulcers.
Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are sometimes referred to as peptic ulcers. Here the term “stomach ulcer” will be used, although the following information applies equally to duodenal ulcers.
The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen. Read more about the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
What causes stomach ulcers?
There are two main causes of stomach ulcers:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, which can irritate the stomach or upper intestine lining, causing an ulcer to form
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, which can have a similar effect
Read more about the causes of stomach ulcers.
Who is affected?
Stomach ulcers are common. In England, it is estimated that about 1 in 10 people will have a stomach ulcer during some point in their life.
Stomach ulcers can affect people of any age, including children, but mostly people aged 60 or over.
Treating stomach ulcers
Medication can be used to treat stomach ulcers. A type of medication known as a proton pump inhibitor is usually used to reduce the amount of acid in your digestive system, allowing the ulcer to heal.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, a combination of antibiotics can be used to kill the bacteria and this will prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are related to the use of NSAIDs, NSAIDs are usually stopped and the ulcer is healed using proton pump inhibitors. In the case of aspirin-induced ulcers the aspirin sometimes needs to be continued, depending on the reason it is being given.
Your doctor will advise you on your particular case.
Read more about treating stomach ulcers.
Complications of stomach ulcers
Complications of a stomach ulcer are uncommon, affecting around 1 in 50 people.
However, they can be serious and include:
- bleeding at the site of the ulcer
- the stomach lining at the site of the ulcer splitting open – this is known as perforation
- the ulcer blocking the movement of food through the digestive system – this is known as gastric obstruction
Some of these complications are regarded as medical emergencies, although they are rarely life-threatening. Older people aged over 70 are most at risk of experiencing a fatal complications of a stomach ulcer.
Read more about the complications of stomach ulcers.
Outlook
If the underlying causes of a stomach ulcer are addressed, the ulcer usually goes away after treatment. However, new ulcers can sometimes form so it's important to address the underlying cause of any ulcers.
