• Duodenal ulcers, the most common type of peptic ulcer, occur in the first few inches of the duodenum. (merckmanuals.com)
  • H. pylori infection is present in 50 to 70% of people with duodenal ulcers and in 30 to 50% of people with stomach ulcers. (merckmanuals.com)
  • citation needed] The timing of symptoms in relation to the meal may differentiate between gastric and duodenal ulcers. (wikipedia.org)
  • Pain in duodenal ulcers would be aggravated by hunger and relieved by a meal and is associated with night pain. (wikipedia.org)
  • A rare condition, called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome , causes the stomach to produce too much acid, leading to stomach and duodenal ulcers. (medlineplus.gov)
  • In addition, male patients were hospitalized more often for duodenal ulcers than were female patients ( 15 , 16 ). (cdc.gov)
  • Similarly to gastric cancer, gastric and duodenal ulcers are both linked to upper gastrointestinal infection with H pylori . (bmj.com)
  • Both gastric and duodenal ulcers can be caused by the infection of the bacteria H.pylori, which is usually considered as a part of the normal flora of the upper digestive tract. (nursestudy.net)
  • Peptic ulcers can result from infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or from use of medications, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that weaken the lining of the stomach or duodenum. (merckmanuals.com)
  • However, most people who take NSAIDs do not develop peptic ulcers. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Older people are more sensitive to the ulcer-causing effects of NSAIDs. (wikipedia.org)
  • Medicines associated with peptic ulcer include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that inhibit cyclooxygenase and most glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone and prednisolone). (wikipedia.org)
  • Most authors recommend simple oversewing of the ulcer in addition to treating the underlying Helicobacter pylori infection or cessation of NSAIDs for bleeding PUD. (medscape.com)
  • Your ulcer is caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs. (medlineplus.gov)
  • A major cause of peptic ulcer, although far less common than H.pylori or NSAIDS, is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. (mountsinai.org)
  • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. (rxlist.com)
  • Patients with a history GI disease (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, GI bleeding) who use NSAIDs have a greater than 10-fold increased risk for developing a GI bleed compared to patients with neither of these risk factors. (pdr.net)
  • It has been recently estimated that, among older adults alone, there are 41,000 hospitalizations and 3300 deaths each year due to ulcer complications such as perforation, bleeding and severe ulcers which are caused by NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (citizen.org)
  • Taking certain pain relief medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at high doses or for extended periods can cause peptic or bleeding ulcers. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • NSAIDs can also decrease the blood's clotting ability, which can make ulcers more likely to bleed. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • According to a study from 2012 , H. pylori and NSAIDs are the most prevalent causes of peptic ulcers. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • In addition, it is not known if several new NSAIDs approved for public use in the last decade are related to ulcers. (chirofind.com)
  • The authors of the study, which appeared in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology , evaluated the risk of ulcer associated with the use of acetaminophen and several new NSAIDs. (chirofind.com)
  • Overall, NSAID use increased risk of ulcers fourfold at any dosage, but the drugs were most dangerous together: Combining NSAIDs and two doses or more of acetaminophen daily increased the risk for peptic ulcer 13.2 times. (chirofind.com)
  • Complications may include bleeding, perforation, and blockage of the stomach. (wikipedia.org)
  • Gastrointestinal perforation is a painful condition that can lead to further health complications, so emergency surgery is often necessary. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Infection with Helicobacter pylori increases the risk for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and its complications. (cdc.gov)
  • Eradicating these infections prevents recurrence and ulcer complications such as bleeding or perforation ( 4 - 6 ). (cdc.gov)
  • The diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease is based on symptoms of stomach pain and on the results of an examination of the stomach with a flexible viewing tube (upper endoscopy) and of Helicobacter pylori testing. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Introduction to Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease involve damage to the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine). (merckmanuals.com)
  • stomach inflammation) may develop into ulcer disease. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Doctors found a higher incidence of ulcer disease in Japan after an earthquake and in New York after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a break in the inner lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus. (wikipedia.org)
  • A history of heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and use of certain medications can raise the suspicion for peptic ulcer. (wikipedia.org)
  • Because of the success of medical therapy in the management of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), surgery currently plays only a very limited role, and elective peptic ulcer surgery has been virtually abandoned. (medscape.com)
  • For more information, please see Peptic Ulcer Disease . (medscape.com)
  • The aim of this study was to determine the presentation, treatment, and outcome of children requiring surgery for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in the post-histamine 2 -blocker era. (nih.gov)
  • Three (10%) children required reoperation for persistent or recurrent ulcer disease and 4 children died. (nih.gov)
  • The Boss, who last week celebrated his 74th birthday, is "steadily recovering" from peptic ulcer disease, a press release read. (castanet.net)
  • Earlier this month, Springsteen announced that he would be postponing all of his September 2023 dates while he was treated for symptoms related to the disease, which causes ulcers to form in the stomach or small intestine that can cause heartburn, nausea and stomach pain. (castanet.net)
  • Peptic ulcer disease can be dangerous, leading to bleeding and emergency situations such as perforation of the ulcer through the stomach. (castanet.net)
  • People who are treated "recover completely from peptic ulcer disease," Dr. Lawrence Kosinski of the American Gastroenterological Association told AP . (castanet.net)
  • Mefenamic acid is contraindicated for use in patients with active ulceration or chronic inflammation (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis) of the upper or lower GI tract. (pdr.net)
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a common cause of epigastric pain. (obgproject.com)
  • Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. (globalrph.com)
  • METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data for patients from the 2005-2011 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who underwent emergency operation for bleeding or perforated peptic ulcer disease was performed to determine the association between surgical approach (local procedure alone, vagotomy/drainage, or vagotomy/gastric resection) and 30-day postoperative outcomes. (duke.edu)
  • CONCLUSIONS: Simple repair is the procedure of choice for patients requiring emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer disease. (duke.edu)
  • 3 It has been observed in the time trends of essentially all morbidity parameters associated with peptic ulcer disease, such as hospitalisation, disability pensions, and mortality. (bmj.com)
  • For more information, please see the topic Peptic Ulcer Disease. (medscape.com)
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease is a medical condition that involves the formation of open sores or ulcers on the stomach's lining and/or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). (nursestudy.net)
  • Most patients with peptic ulcer disease PUD have stomach pain as the first symptom. (nursestudy.net)
  • Smoking , eating spicy foods, drinking alcohol, and chronic stress may worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. (nursestudy.net)
  • This is suspected in severe peptic ulcer disease wherein there is evidence of dark red or black tarry stools, and/or vomiting blood. (nursestudy.net)
  • People with H. pylori infections such as peptic ulcer disease has a greater risk of developing gastric cancer. (nursestudy.net)
  • Of 470 patients treated for peptic ulcer disease, 215 were seen during Ramadan and 255 in the month after Ra- madan. (who.int)
  • The frequency of peptic ulcer disease was higher after Ramadan than during Ramadan but this was not statistically significant. (who.int)
  • Peptic ulcer disease occurred more frequently in the age group 30-49 years. (who.int)
  • Regression analysis identified the following variables as predictors of peptic ulcer disease: anorexia, pain, hypertension, smoking, epigastric pain, diabetes and family history. (who.int)
  • citation needed] In people over the age of 45 with more than two weeks of the above symptoms, the odds for peptic ulceration are high enough to warrant rapid investigation by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. (wikipedia.org)
  • Chronic use of mefenamic acid can result in gastritis, ulceration with or without GI perforation, and/or GI bleeding, which can occur at any time, often without preceding symptoms. (pdr.net)
  • The choice of operative procedure depends on variables such as hemodynamic instability, life-threatening comorbid conditions, the size of perforation, duration of symptoms, and the patient's history of chronic peptic ulceration. (medscape.com)
  • The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper abdominal pain, and upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. (wikipedia.org)
  • Signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include one or more of the following:[citation needed] abdominal pain, classically epigastric, strongly correlated with mealtimes. (wikipedia.org)
  • Also, the symptoms of peptic ulcers may vary with the location of the ulcer and the person's age. (wikipedia.org)
  • Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms and may heal without treatment. (medlineplus.gov)
  • This article explores the causes and symptoms of gastrointestinal perforation. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • If people experience any of the symptoms of gastrointestinal perforation or peritonitis they should see a doctor immediately. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • When these symptoms don't go away, one possibility is that you have a peptic ulcer. (mountsinai.org)
  • If the ulcer is small, you may have no idea that you have it because there are no symptoms. (mountsinai.org)
  • Symptoms of PUD typically manifest as epigastric pain, and can vary based on ulcer location. (obgproject.com)
  • Peptic ulcers can be difficult to diagnose because some people never display symptoms. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Symptoms of ZES may be similar to those of peptic ulcers, such as dull or burning pain in the belly, and digestive problems such as diarrhea , nausea, decreased appetite, bloating, and burping. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Contrary to common belief, spicy foods do not result to peptic ulcers, but they can aggravate the symptoms and make them even worse. (nursestudy.net)
  • Peptic ulcers can cause blockage of the food's passageway, resulting to symptoms such as weight loss, vomiting, and feeling of fullness. (nursestudy.net)
  • Few studies have reported on the risk for peptic ulcers related to the use of acetaminophen, however, which is found in Tylenol. (chirofind.com)
  • The most common cause of ulcers is infection of the stomach by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ). (medlineplus.gov)
  • The occurrence of birth-cohort phenomena in gastric cancer and peptic ulcer suggests that additional secular trends besides changes in the infection with Helicobacter pylori must have contributed to the peculiar long-term behaviour of these diagnoses. (bmj.com)
  • Bleeding ulcers may be treated by endoscopy, with open surgery typically only used in cases in which it is not successful. (wikipedia.org)
  • To detect an ulcer, you may need a test called an upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD). (medlineplus.gov)
  • Diagnosis and treatment of bleeding ulcers typically involve an endoscopy . (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Diagnosis is best made by endoscopy, and in about 90% of patients the ulcer is situated in the first part of the duodenum, within two centimetres of the pylorus [2]. (who.int)
  • NSAID use causes more than 50% of peptic ulcers. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Other common ulcer risks include smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, or regularly using NSAID pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen. (mountsinai.org)
  • However, a newer review in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention states that ulcers without H. pylori infection or NSAID involvement are increasing. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation, which leads to acute peritonitis and extreme, stabbing pain, and requires immediate surgery. (wikipedia.org)
  • In 2020, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) released guidelines for management of perforated and bleeding peptic ulcers. (medscape.com)
  • Although each of these studies used different indications for surgery, they generally agreed that any patient with a perforated peptic ulcer who has peritoneal signs should undergo exploratory laparotomy. (medscape.com)
  • Despite arguments favoring conservative management of patients with a perforated peptic ulcer, delaying the initiation of surgery more than 12 hours after presentation is associated with poor outcomes. (medscape.com)
  • If your provider diagnoses you with a gastrointestinal perforation, you may need emergency surgery to repair it. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • People with gastrointestinal perforation often require emergency surgery. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Scholars@Duke publication: Vagotomy/drainage is superior to local oversew in patients who require emergency surgery for bleeding peptic ulcers. (duke.edu)
  • BACKGROUND: Although definitive acid-reducing procedures are being used less frequently during emergency ulcer surgery, there is little published data to support this change in practice. (duke.edu)
  • RESULTS: A total of 3611 patients undergoing emergency ulcer surgery (775 for bleeding, 2374 for perforation) were included for data analysis. (duke.edu)
  • A prospective, randomized trial comparing laparoscopic surgery with open surgery for perforated ulcer showed that the only differences between these groups were a reduced need for analgesia and an increased operative time in the laparoscopic group. (medscape.com)
  • It is often difficult to recognize the kind of lesion that caused gastric perforation at the time of emergency surgery, particularly when pathologic evaluation of frozen sections is not available. (biomedcentral.com)
  • Age and sex, preoperative diagnosis, location of perforation, depth of gastric wall invasion, absence or presence of lymph node metastasis, type of surgery, degree of lymph node dissection, UICC stage and outcome of the patients were examined. (biomedcentral.com)
  • In most instances gastric carcinoma is not suspected as the cause of perforation prior to emergency laparotomy and the diagnosis of malignancy is often made only on postoperative pathologic examination. (biomedcentral.com)
  • The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic value of perforation and to point out the surgical treatment options. (biomedcentral.com)
  • Subsequently, a study by Sharma et al documented the use of ERAS in emergency settings in patients with perforation and intestinal obstruction and found it to be safe and feasible. (medscape.com)
  • Perforation of gastric carcinoma results in an acute abdominal syndrome due to the spilled gastric contents and the consequent peritonitis. (biomedcentral.com)
  • Severe abdominal pain with or without evidence of bleeding may indicate a perforation of the ulcer through the stomach or duodenum. (mountsinai.org)
  • Larger ulcers can cause abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and nausea. (mountsinai.org)
  • Stress ulcers, like those that form in acute stress gastritis, can occur as a result of the stress of severe illness, skin burns, or injury. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Vivlodex can cause digestive tract problems such as ulcers, bleeding, inflammation, and perforations (small holes). (rxwiki.com)
  • Appropriate antimicrobial drug regimens to eradicate the infection and cure ulcers have been available since Marshall and Warren discovered H. pylori as an etiologic agent of ulcers in the early 1980s ( 3 ). (cdc.gov)
  • More likely, your ulcer is caused by a stomach infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori. (mountsinai.org)
  • A severe bleeding ulcer left untreated can cause rapid blood loss and even death. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • If left untreated, peptic ulcers can create a hole in the stomach or small intestine's lining. (nursestudy.net)
  • All patients with perforation (n = 16) were treated with simple closure with or without omental patch. (nih.gov)
  • Patients with perforation of peptic been reported, such as decreased daytime ulcer that occurred outside the 2 months of oral temperature, alertness, mood, re- study were excluded. (who.int)
  • Most people who have gastrointestinal perforation will have a hole in their stomach or small intestine. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • this can occur due to bleeding directly from a gastric ulcer or from damage to the esophagus from severe/continuing vomiting. (wikipedia.org)
  • Generally, 5% of bleeding ulcers require operative management at some point. (medscape.com)
  • Some ulcers can cause serious bleeding. (medlineplus.gov)
  • For those children with bleeding, 8 had simple oversew of the bleeding ulcer(s), 2 had oversew with vagotomy and pyloroplasty, and 1 required vagotomy and antrectomy. (nih.gov)
  • An actively bleeding ulcer may also be cauterized (blood vessels are sealed with a burning tool) during a gastroscopy procedure. (mountsinai.org)
  • Endoscopic therapy can be used to stop bleeding from the ulcer. (mountsinai.org)
  • Bleeding ulcer: What causes it and is it serious? (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • If an ulcer develops at the site of a blood vessel, it can cause bleeding. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Excessive ulcer bleeding is a medical emergency as it can cause rapid blood loss and death. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Doctors refer to these as bleeding ulcers. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Minor bleeding in an ulcer is typically not as serious and may go unnoticed. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Infections and some medications can cause bleeding ulcers. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Using the correct treatment, doctors can cure bleeding ulcers. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • A slow-bleeding ulcer may gradually cause anemia . (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • OBJECTIVE: To compare early postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing different types of emergency procedures for bleeding or perforated gastroduodenal ulcers. (duke.edu)
  • Compared with patients undergoing local procedures alone, vagotomy/gastric resection was associated with significantly greater postoperative morbidity when performed for either ulcer perforation or bleeding. (duke.edu)
  • Conversely, vagotomy/drainage was associated with a significantly lower postoperative mortality rate than local ulcer oversew when performed for bleeding ulcers. (duke.edu)
  • For patients requiring emergency operation for intractable ulcer bleeding, vagotomy/drainage is associated with lower postoperative mortality than with simple ulcer oversew. (duke.edu)
  • A gastric ulcer would give epigastric pain during the meal, associated with nausea and vomiting, as gastric acid production is increased as food enters the stomach. (wikipedia.org)
  • Wangensteen et al reported that in a patient who has a small perforation without peritoneal signs, it can be assumed that the perforation has sealed off physiologically. (medscape.com)
  • Wangensteen et al reported that in a patient with small perforation, without peritoneal signs, one can assume that the perforation has sealed off physiologically. (medscape.com)
  • A gastrointestinal perforation is a serious condition that requires emergency medical care. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • Certain medical conditions and injuries can make you more likely to have a gastrointestinal perforation. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • What is a gastrointestinal perforation? (clevelandclinic.org)
  • A gastrointestinal perforation is a hole in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract . (clevelandclinic.org)
  • How does a gastrointestinal perforation affect my body? (clevelandclinic.org)
  • Having one of these conditions doesn't mean you will have a gastrointestinal perforation, but your risk of having one is higher. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • That's why it's important to know the signs of gastrointestinal perforation and when to seek medical care. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • What does a gastrointestinal perforation feel like? (clevelandclinic.org)
  • What tests diagnose a gastrointestinal perforation? (clevelandclinic.org)
  • How is gastrointestinal perforation treated? (clevelandclinic.org)
  • Gastrointestinal perforation is a hole in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • People with a gastrointestinal perforation, therefore, need emergency medical care. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Although rare, accidents during specific medical procedures can also cause gastrointestinal perforation. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Most cases of gastrointestinal perforation require emergency treatment. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • This is to check for air in the abdominal cavity, a sign of gastrointestinal perforation. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Most people with peptic ulcers have these bacteria living in their digestive tract. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Often, when people refer to an ulcer, they mean peptic ulcers , which develop in the digestive tract. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • When this happens, the acid may damage the lining of the digestive tract and cause an ulcer. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Barium swallow, GI X-ray or Upper gastrointestinal series - to visualize the upper gastrointestinal system by means of asking a patient to swallow a barium liquid that will coat the digestive tract, making the peptic ulcers easier to visualize. (nursestudy.net)
  • Ulcers can occur at any age, including infancy and childhood, but are most common among middle-aged adults. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) are less common and usually occur in the lower part of the stomach. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Stress ulcers occur in the stomach and the duodenum. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Furthermore, typical ulcers tend to heal and recur, and as a result the pain may occur for few days and weeks and then wane or disappear. (wikipedia.org)
  • Most ulcers occur in the first, inner surface, layer of the inner lining. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Peptic ulcers may occur in the stomach , the small intestine just below the stomach, or the esophagus (food pipe) above the stomach. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • however, they generally agree that any patient with a perforated peptic ulcer who has peritoneal signs should undergo exploratory laparotomy. (medscape.com)
  • Aim The aim of this epidemiological study was to follow the time trends of mortality from gastric cancer and compare them with those of gastric and duodenal ulcer. (bmj.com)
  • Conclusions The time trends of mortality from gastric cancer are shaped by an underlying birth-cohort pattern that resembles similar patterns of peptic ulcer mortality. (bmj.com)
  • Unexpectedly, the analysis revealed a rise in mortality from gastric cancer during the first half of the 19th century that preceded the rise in the occurrence of both ulcer types by 10-30 years. (bmj.com)
  • A hole in your large intestine, also known as a bowel perforation, can cause stool to leak into your abdomen. (clevelandclinic.org)
  • The ulcer extends into the muscularis propria layer of the gastric epithelium and usually occurs in the stomach or duodenum. (obgproject.com)
  • Medical procedures: Perforation can be a rare complication of surgeries or procedures that affect the GI tract, like colonoscopies . (clevelandclinic.org)
  • Perforation is a rare complication of gastric carcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all gastric cancer cases. (biomedcentral.com)
  • Although alcohol increases stomach acid production, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol does not seem to cause ulcers or delay their healing. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Stress may cause ulcers. (merckmanuals.com)
  • Berne and Donovan emphasized the use of a water-soluble upper gastrointestinal (GI) study to prove that perforation no longer exists. (medscape.com)
  • The gastric wall surrounding the ulcer is indurated, because of the fibrosis that involves the base of the ulcer and spreads beneath the surrounding mucosa. (anatomywarehouse.com)
  • Ulcers may extend to the lower esophagus, distal duodenum or jejunum. (obgproject.com)
  • Your health care provider will recommend medicines to heal your ulcer and prevent a relapse. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Typical treatment uses common drugs called proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec, which can help heal the ulcers within four to six weeks. (castanet.net)
  • The term "ulcer" means a sore that does not heal quickly. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Ulcers penetrate into the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). (merckmanuals.com)
  • Marginal ulcers can develop when part of the stomach has been removed surgically, at the point where the remaining stomach has been reconnected to the intestine. (merckmanuals.com)
  • A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach or intestine. (medlineplus.gov)
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation is when a hole develops in the GI tract, which includes the stomach, small intestine, and large bowel. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • Researchers estimate that perforations of the lower intestine only affect 4 in every 100,000 people in the European population. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • A perforation can cause the contents of the stomach, small intestine, or large bowel to seep into the abdominal cavity. (medicalnewstoday.com)
  • A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum. (mountsinai.org)
  • These tumors are usually malignant, must be removed and acid production suppressed to relieve the recurrence of the ulcers. (mountsinai.org)