EDUCATION

Peptic ulcers are treated with lifestyle changes and medicine. Some people may need surgery. The goals of treatment are to:

  • Clear an H. pylori infection if present
  • Ease symptoms
  • Help ulcers heal
  • Avoid health problems, such as bleeding
  • Lower the risk of ulcers coming back

Treatment may be:

Lifestyle changes
Medications
Alternative and complementary therapies
Surgery
REFERENCES:

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Dyspepsia and gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Investigation and management of dyspepsia, symptoms suggestive of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or both. NICE 2014 Sep:CG184.

Peptic ulcer disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/peptic-ulcer-disease. Updated April 2, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2020.

Peptic ulcer disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/gastritis-and-peptic-ulcer-disease/peptic-ulcer-disease. Updated January 2020. Accessed February 3, 2020.

Peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/all-content. Updated November 2014. Accessed February 3, 2020.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD  Last Updated: 2/9/2021