Stomach Ulcer Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is stomach ulcer treatment?
A stomach ulcer, also called a peptic ulcer, is a raw patch where the protective lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) has worn away, leaving the tissue underneath exposed to acid. Ulcers in the duodenum are actually more common than those in the stomach itself, and both are treated in the same way.
Treatment has three aims: let the sore heal by lowering acid, remove whatever caused it, and confirm afterwards that healing is complete. Two causes account for most ulcers. The first is Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining and weakens its defences; its testing and treatment are covered on the H. pylori treatment page. The second is regular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers, the group of medicines commonly taken for back pain, joint pain, headaches and period pain, including many sold over the counter. Low-dose aspirin taken for the heart belongs to the same family. Smoking, shisha and heavy alcohol use slow healing.
Who needs it
Treatment is for anyone with a confirmed ulcer, and assessment is worthwhile if you notice:
- A burning or gnawing pain in the upper tummy, often between meals or at night
- Pain that eases briefly with food or antacids, then returns
- Bloating, early fullness, nausea or loss of appetite
- Unexplained tiredness or iron deficiency anaemia, which can come from slow, hidden bleeding
People who take anti-inflammatory painkillers most days, especially over the age of 60 or alongside blood-thinning medicines or steroids, carry a higher chance of ulcers and benefit from a review of their medicines. Some ulcers stay silent until they bleed, so a history of painkiller use matters as much as symptoms.
What happens
Your gastroenterologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah begins with your symptoms and a full list of every medicine you take, including painkillers bought without a prescription and herbal products.
A gastroscopy is the main test. A thin flexible camera passed through the mouth shows the ulcer directly, its size and whether it has bled. Small tissue samples are usually taken: one to test for H. pylori, and, for ulcers in the stomach, samples from the ulcer edge that are sent to the laboratory to confirm the ulcer is benign. Sedation can be given for comfort; see anaesthesia for endoscopy and sedation for procedures.
Treatment then follows the cause:
- Acid-reducing medicine lowers stomach acid so the lining can repair itself, usually taken for several weeks
- Eradication therapy for H. pylori: a combination of antibiotics with an acid-reducing medicine, taken together as one course
- Painkiller review: irritating painkillers are stopped where possible, a gentler alternative is suggested, or a protective acid-reducing medicine is added if a painkiller or aspirin remains essential
Preparing for it
For gastroscopy, you fast for several hours beforehand, and specific instructions are given to you when the test is booked. Some acid-reducing medicines can hide H. pylori on testing, so ask whether to pause them in the weeks before the procedure. Keep taking heart and blood-thinning medicines unless your doctor advises a change.
Bring a written list of all your medicines, with doses. If you have been buying painkillers from a pharmacy, write down which ones and how often. If sedation is planned, arrange for an adult to take you home.
Afterwards
Most people feel relief within days of starting acid-reducing medicine, and full healing follows over the following weeks. Complete the whole eradication course even once you feel better. After treatment, a repeat check confirms the result: a breath or stool test shows whether H. pylori has cleared, and stomach ulcers usually have a repeat gastroscopy to confirm they have healed.
While healing, choose regular smaller meals, give up smoking and shisha, and limit alcohol. Spicy food and coffee affect comfort for some people, and adjusting them is a personal choice. During Ramadan, discuss medicine timing with your gastroenterologist before the month starts, since long fasts and large iftar meals can aggravate ulcer pain. Before future painkiller use, ask a doctor or pharmacist which options are kinder to the stomach.
Call the clinic if pain returns, if you feel increasingly tired or short of breath, or if side effects make the eradication course hard to finish. Go to the emergency department immediately if you vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, pass black, tarry stools, or develop sudden, severe tummy pain.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover gastroenterology consultations, ulcer medicines and diagnostic gastroscopy. Gastroscopy usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, and the hospital team can submit the request once your gastroenterologist confirms the test is needed. Call Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777 to confirm your cover before your appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of stomach ulcer treatment?
Stomach ulcer treatment is generally safe, but eradication therapy can cause a metallic taste, nausea or loose stools, and gastroscopy carries small risks of a sore throat, a reaction to sedation, or rarely bleeding or a tear. An ulcer left untreated carries greater risks, including bleeding and perforation, and some ulcers return if the cause remains.
How long does a stomach ulcer take to heal?
Most stomach ulcers heal over several weeks once acid is reduced and the cause is removed, with pain often easing within the first few days. Your gastroenterologist confirms healing with a repeat test rather than relying on symptoms alone.
Can I keep taking painkillers if I have a stomach ulcer?
Anti-inflammatory painkillers should usually be stopped while a stomach ulcer heals, because they weaken the stomach lining and slow repair. Your gastroenterologist can suggest gentler pain relief, or add a protective acid-reducing medicine if an anti-inflammatory or aspirin is essential for another condition.
Is a stomach ulcer the same as acid reflux?
A stomach ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, while acid reflux is acid flowing back up into the oesophagus. The two can cause similar burning pain and are sometimes present together, which is why gastroscopy is useful for telling them apart.
Do I need a gastroscopy to diagnose a stomach ulcer?
Gastroscopy is the most reliable way to confirm a stomach ulcer, because it shows the ulcer directly and allows samples to be taken. Younger people with mild symptoms may first be tested for *H. pylori* with a breath or stool test and treated, with gastroscopy used when symptoms persist or warning signs appear.
Can a stomach ulcer come back?
A stomach ulcer can come back if *H. pylori* is still present or anti-inflammatory painkillers are restarted. Confirming the infection has cleared and reviewing painkiller use are the best ways to keep an ulcer from returning.
Can I fast in Ramadan with a stomach ulcer?
Many people with a healing stomach ulcer can fast with adjusted medicine timings taken at suhoor and iftar, but fasting is not advised while an ulcer is actively bleeding or during severe symptoms. Discuss your plan with your gastroenterologist before Ramadan begins.
Is stomach ulcer treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover stomach ulcer consultations, medicines and diagnostic gastroscopy, although gastroscopy usually needs pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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