Whether stomach ulcers can heal on their own is a concern for many people. This is a serious condition and can lead to dangerous complications if not treated promptly. Whether it heals on its own depends on the cause of the disease. The article below will answer this question in more detail.
1. What is a stomach ulcer
A stomach ulcer is a condition where the stomach lining is damaged, leading to swelling, inflammation, and eventually the formation of sores in the stomach lining. This condition causes many uncomfortable symptoms for patients.
Stomach ulcers are divided into two types: acute and chronic:
- Acute gastritis: This causes acute inflammation and swelling in the stomach lining, causing patients to experience severe upper abdominal pain, usually in short episodes.
- Chronic gastritis: This originates from excess stomach acid and HP bacteria infection, leading to generalized or localized damage to the stomach lining. This prolonged condition can cause atrophic gastritis and eventually destroy the stomach structure.
2. Causes of stomach ulcers:
2.1. Helicobacter Pylori (H.P) bacteria:
The duration of ulcer treatment depends mainly on the cause. The leading cause of stomach ulcers is infection with H.P. bacteria, a type of bacteria that lives in the stomach lining. H.P. infection may be asymptomatic or may cause acute and chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers.
2.2. Diet
Some bad eating habits that contribute to stomach ulcers include:
- Eating irregularly, often skipping meals;
- The habit of eating late at night, eating quickly, and not chewing thoroughly;
- Eating while working;
- Consuming a lot of processed foods and packaged foods;
- Eating foods that are too spicy, hot, or too sour; A diet lacking protein and vitamins...
2.3. Using anti-inflammatory and pain relief drugs in the wrong way:
Stomach ulcers are common in elderly patients, especially those who regularly use anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids to treat degenerative arthritis.
2.4. Chronic stress:
People who are frequently stressed or excessively worried for long periods are more likely to develop stomach ulcers than normal people. Stress affects the immune system, causing increased stomach acid secretion, causing the stomach lining to be attacked, and forming inflammatory and ulcerative lesions.
2.5. Use of alcohol or stimulants:
The habit of regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol irritates the stomach lining, leading to inflammatory reactions and increasing the risk of developing ulcers. For those who already have stomach ulcers, continuing to use alcohol or stimulants will make treatment very difficult.
3. Can stomach ulcers heal on their own?
Whether stomach ulcers can heal on their own depends heavily on the cause. If the patient has stomach ulcers due to an unhealthy diet, digestive disorders due to eating habits, stress, or side effects of medications, and the disease are still in its early stages, it can still heal on its own by adjusting diet and lifestyle.
In the case of the disease being caused by the use of anti-inflammatory and pain relief drugs, the disease can also resolve on its own after stopping the medication.
If the ulcer is caused by HP bacteria, it will be very difficult for the disease to heal on its own. Patients need to see a doctor for examination and treatment according to an appropriate regimen.
In addition, depending on each person's condition, the recovery time will vary. The treatment time for mild cases can last from a few weeks to a few months. For severe cases, treatment may be longer and require continuous monitoring.
4. Symptoms of stomach ulcers:
4.1. Upper abdominal pain:
Burning pain in the upper abdomen is a relatively specific sign of stomach ulcers and is often the earliest sign that patients can recognize. The degree of upper abdominal pain varies depending on each person's constitution, and the pain may appear at any time, even when the patient is sleeping.
4.2. Nausea and vomiting:
Ulcers on the stomach lining not only cause pain but also stimulate the stomach to contract more strongly, making patients constantly feel nauseous and even severe vomiting due to weakened stomach function.
4.3. Loss of appetite, taste impairment:
When suffering from stomach ulcers, patients will feel tired, and have a bitter taste in their mouth, which can lead to taste impairment and loss of appetite. Although this is not a characteristic sign of stomach ulcers, almost all patients experience this symptom.
4.4. Digestive disorders:
Stomach ulcers can cause constipation or diarrhea for patients, indicating digestive disorders.
4.5. Insomnia, unexplained weight loss:
Diseases related to the digestive system can lead to rapid weight loss. The main cause of this condition is the body's reduced ability to absorb nutrients. Another factor causing weight loss is prolonged fatigue and insomnia.
5. Diagnosis of stomach ulcers:
5.1. Diagnostic endoscopy:
Endoscopy is the most common test because it provides highly accurate diagnostic results compared to other methods. Through images from the gastroscopy process, the doctor clearly observes the condition of the mucosa and the location of the ulcers.
Whether stomach ulcers can heal on their own or require active treatment measures will be predicted by the doctor through the results of the endoscopy. Simple mucosal ulcers often respond well to medical treatment; however, complex ulcers such as protruding, concave, and sclerotic ulcers require biopsy during endoscopy for early diagnosis of serious diseases such as stomach cancer.
5.2. Blood and stool tests:
Doctors can assess the condition of stomach ulcers and detect complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, measure the concentration of digestive enzymes in the stomach, and detect the presence of red blood cells in the stool through the results of blood and stool tests.
6. How is a stomach ulcer treated?
"Does a stomach ulcer require surgery?" is a question of concern for many patients. The decision of whether or not to operate depends on the severity of the ulcer, the accompanying symptoms, and complications; the doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
6.1. Medical Treatment:
The duration of stomach ulcer treatment, whether fast or slow, will depend on whether the patient adheres to changes in diet and lifestyle habits. In addition, treatment with medication will also support faster disease recovery.
- Western medicine used to treat stomach ulcers includes proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 receptor antagonists, and symptom-relieving medications such as acid neutralizers and mucosal protective agents.
- Traditional medicine usually originates from natural herbs, has high benignity, and has few side effects. These medications can be used for a long time and have the ability to heal ulcers better. However, traditional medicine also has the disadvantage of slow action and cannot completely eliminate HP bacteria present in the stomach.
6.2. Surgical Treatment:
Surgery is only indicated in cases where treatment with medication is ineffective and when complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach perforation, etc., occur.
In summary, whether a stomach ulcer can heal on its own depends on the underlying cause. If serious complications arise, patients should go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment according to the doctor's instructions. The symptoms of chronic stomach ulcers often subside within a few hours after using medication. However, symptom relief is only temporary, and patients need to follow the treatment regimen for chronic stomach ulcers as directed by their doctor.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, patients will be examined and treated by leading doctors of the Gastroenterology Department. This creates favorable conditions to support patients in more effective treatment.
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