It appears having an ulcer is not a short-term ordeal. According to Westlake Medical Center gastroenterologist Dr. Jerome Torres, ulcers can usually last for two to four weeks.
“Ulcer, which is commonly caused by the helicobacter pylori bacteria, is a condition in which the lining of the stomach or intestines has a sore like a mouth sore,” he explains. The length of the condition varies from patient to patient.
Ulcer symptoms include stomach pain (regardless whether it’s related to food or not), heartburn, stomach ache, and vomiting.
Those who think they display any of those symptoms can get tested for ulcer by undergoing upper endoscopy or EGD, typically an outpatient procedure that allows doctors to examine the esophagus and stomach using a small camera tube placed inside the mouth. If a doctor finds an abnormality, a biopsy may be required.
The treatment of choice for ulcers are proton pump inhibitors, medicines that help reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. Antacids can also be a treatment option. However, when ulcers are left untreated and get worse, they can lead to the perforation of the stomach and intestines.
“To prevent having ulcers, observe proper handwashing, eat properly cooked foods, have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Torres says.
“Those already with ulcers should eat a high-fiber diet, avoid fatty and oily foods, and give up smoking and any other kind of vice.”
If you’re manifesting symptoms of ulcer or want to know more about the condition, you can visit Westlake Medical Center. To get expert medical advice regularly, follow Westlake Medical Center at https://www.facebook.com/WestlakeMedCenterPH/ and at https://www.tiktok.com/@wmctiktok.