Associated issues

Impact on social life
Over the past few years, medical opinion as to the causes of peptic ulcers has changed. People with peptic ulcers used to be advised to keep to a very bland diet. As the role of H. pylori in the development of peptic ulcers has become clearer, this has become less important and patients are now advised to have a more varied diet. It is obviously best to avoid any food or drink that you know makes your symptoms worse, but you should be able to have a full social life.

Use of over-the-counter medicines
If you only suffer from occasional symptoms, you may find that an antacid, bought over the counter from a chemist, may neutralise the stomach acid sufficiently to allow the symptoms go away. However, if symptoms persist for over 2 weeks, you should talk to your doctor. Chronic ulcers, which last for long periods, can cause damage to the stomach or duodenal wall and should be treated. Your doctor will select the best medicine for you, based on your symptoms.

What do I do if I need to take aspirin or an NSAID?
If you need to take painkillers, talk to your doctor first. The use of aspirin and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac) can cause ulcers as they reduce the protection of the stomach lining against damage by stomach acid. Your doctor may prescribe a different painkiller for you, or if you need to take these medicines, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to protect your stomach.