What Happens
Many people who have
may not seek medical attention when
their symptoms begin. Their symptoms, such as belly pain, may come and go for
some time and may alternate with pain-free periods. Even without treatment,
some ulcers will heal by themselves.
And even with treatment, some
ulcers may come back. Certain factors such as cigarette smoking and continued
use of
increase
the .
Sometimes
, such as bleeding,
perforation, penetration, or obstruction.
Most peptic ulcers without complications heal, regardless of the cause.
But an ulcer is likely to come back if you have an H. pylori infection that is not successfully treated. Recurring ulcers
caused by reinfection with H. pylori are not common in
the United States, except in areas that are overcrowded or have poor
sanitation.
If you have a history of ulcers, taking NSAIDs
regularly raises your chances of getting another ulcer. If you stop using
these medicines, you can reduce your chances of getting another ulcer.