Types

• Different kinds of ulcers affect many areas of the body. Apthous ulcers, which are commonly called canker sores, develop on the soft tissue in the mouth, under the tongue, inside the cheeks or lips and at the base of the gum line. Peptic ulcers form in the esophagus, the lining of the stomach or the upper small intestine. Pressure ulcers are patches of damaged skin and tissue that occur when continuous pressure cuts off circulation to susceptible parts of the body.
  
  

Apthous Ulcer Treatment

• Multiple medications are available to cure apthous ulcers. Mouth rinses are good for treating multiple canker sores because they commonly contain a steroid, dexamethasone, that reduces swelling and pain. Oral suspensions containing the antibiotic tetracycline also help reduce pain and healing time. There are also over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed topical pastes that help cure apthous ulcers. Topical pastes help relieve pain and, if applied once a lesion is first noticed, can reduce healing time.
  
  

Peptic Ulcer Treatment

• A combination of antibiotics is needed to treat peptic ulcers because one antibiotic alone is not usually sufficient to kill the H. pylori bacteria that commonly causes them. Combination drugs that contain two antibiotics and an acid suppressor can be prescribed by a doctor. Antibiotics are taken for two weeks depending on the severity of the peptic ulcers. Acid blockers and antacids can also help temporarily relieve the abdominal discomfort caused by peptic ulcers.
  
  

Pressure Ulcer Treatment

• Treating pressure ulcers can be difficult because they are open wounds that are slow to heal. Since skin and other tissues have been damaged or destroyed, healing is never perfect. The best treatment is to avoid putting pressure on ulcers by changing position frequently. Changing position every 15 minutes if in a wheel chair and every two hours if bedridden can stop the formation of pressure ulcers. Specialized cushions and pads have been designed to relieve pressure to existing bed sores and prevent vulnerable areas from further breakdown.
  
  

Rectal Ulcer Treatment

• Rectal ulcers or solitary rectal ulcer syndrome treatment depends on symptoms and rectal prolapse. If there are moderate or no symptoms, addressing constipation by increasing dietary fiber intake can cure the ulcer. More severe symptoms can be treated with enemas and surgery. Sucralfate enemas, which contain aluminum salt, can create a barrier against irritants by coating the ulcer. Another option, corticosteroid enemas, decreases swelling. Surgery is recommended when ulcers recur and rectal prolapse is diagnosed. Surgery removes lesions and gives physicians the chance to perform a fecal diversion. Fecal diversion is a surgically created opening where a portion of the colon above the rectum is brought to the abdominal surface. A stool will be deposited into an ostomy bag which the patient empties.