When To Call A Professional

Call for medical advice if you have persistent abdominal pain or indigestion, or need to take antacids frequently to prevent these symptoms. Seek emergency care if you experience a sudden sharp pain in your upper abdomen, bloody or black vomit, or maroon or black stools.

Prognosis

Before H. pylori was identified, many people had peptic ulcers for years. Now, with proper treatment, the outlook for peptic ulcers is excellent. However, people who have had a peptic ulcer should avoid aspirin, NSAIDs and smoking to prevent ulcers from returning.

Additional Info

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders Office of Communications and Public Liaison Building 31, Room 9A04 Center Drive, MSC 2560 Bethesda, MD 20892-2560 Phone: (301) 496-3583 Fax: (301) 496-7422 http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 4900 B South, 31st St. Arlington, VA 22206 Phone: (703) 820-7400 Fax: (703) 931-4520 http://www.acg.gi.org/

American Gastroenterological Association 7910 Woodmont Ave. Seventh Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: (301) 654-2055 http://www.gastro.org/