Gastric Ulcers: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know
When your stomach lining gets damaged, it can form open sores called gastric ulcers, painful breaks in the stomach lining that cause burning pain, bloating, and sometimes bleeding. Also known as peptic ulcers, they’re not caused by stress or spicy food like many think—they’re usually tied to H. pylori, a bacteria that weakens the stomach’s protective mucus layer or long-term use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or aspirin, which block the enzymes that protect your stomach.
Most people with gastric ulcers don’t realize they have one until the pain gets bad. Some feel it right after eating; others get it at night. The good news? They heal. Treatment usually starts with proton pump inhibitors, medications like omeprazole that shut down acid production so your stomach can repair itself. If H. pylori is found, you’ll get antibiotics. For milder cases, famotidine, an H2 blocker that reduces acid, is often used as a cheaper, effective option. But here’s the catch: skipping treatment or keeping up with NSAIDs while healing can make things worse—sometimes dangerously so. Bleeding ulcers don’t always scream for help; they can sneak up with dark stools, fatigue, or sudden dizziness.
What you take matters. Some medications help; others hurt. For example, mixing alcohol with certain ulcer drugs can increase bleeding risk. And if you’re on blood thinners or statins, your ulcer treatment needs to be extra careful. You’ll also find that some people heal faster with diet changes—cutting out coffee, quitting smoking, or avoiding late-night meals. But no home remedy replaces medical treatment. The posts below cover real stories and science: how doctors talk to patients about generic acid reducers, what happens when you combine ulcer meds with alcohol, how to spot dangerous side effects, and why some people’s stomachs react differently to the same drug. Whether you’re dealing with this yourself or helping someone who is, you’ll find clear, practical advice here—no fluff, just what works.
