Peptic ulcer refers to open sores that are formed in the lining of the stomach and the upper part of the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcer sores are very painful and cause a great deal of discomfort. In severe cases, they cause internal bleeding inside the stomach lining and result in vomiting blood or passing blood through stools. They are usually caused either by the bacteria H. Pylori or the damage occurs in the stomach lining.

This is typically due to prolonged usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of peptic ulcers and none of the home remedies or over-the-counter antacids or acid blockers are working, then you need to go to a doctor to get diagnosed and treated properly.

There are several tests that a doctor may use to diagnose peptic ulcer:

1. Endoscopy test
A scope will be used to examine and look at your upper digestive system to see if there are any open sores in the lining. The scope which is a hollow tube with a lens is inserted through your mouth, down your throat and goes down into your stomach and then into your small intestine. Using this endoscope, the doctor will check to see if there are any ulcers present. If an ulcer or open sore is found, a biopsy will be done to test for H. Pylori bacteria. Endoscopies are usually done if your symptoms include vomiting blood or passing blood through stools, if you are finding it difficult to eat and swallow, or if you have a sudden unexplainable loss in weight, or if your symptoms don’t improve.

2. Barium swallow test
This is also known as an upper gastrointestinal series of X-rays. You have to swallow a white liquid containing barium which then coats the entire digestive tract and enhances the visibility of any ulcers in an X-ray. X-rays will then be taken of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

3. Breath test for H. Pylori
You will be given something to eat or drink that consists of radioactive carbon. You will then have to later blow into a bag. The bag is sealed and then tested. If you have H. Pylori, the breath test will show the presence of radioactive carbon. Do not take any antacids prior to this test, as the test results will get falsely affected.

4. Treating peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer can be treated in the following ways:

• If the ulcer is caused by H. Pylori bacteria, then antibiotic medications will be prescribed to kill the bacteria. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for two weeks along with medicines that reduce stomach acid.
• If the ulcer is caused by excessive usage of NSAIDs, then your doctor will advise you to stop the usage of all NSAIDs and will give you medication to help the ulcers to heal and take another course of appropriate action.
• Medications containing proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid and help ulcers to heal.
• Medications containing cytoprotective agents protect the lining of the stomach and intestine.