Can gastric ulcers heal spontaneously?
Disease description:
I’ve been feeling uncomfortable in my stomach for the past few days, so I went to the hospital for an examination. The test revealed that I have a gastric ulcer, and I was advised to begin treatment as soon as possible. May I ask: Can gastric ulcers heal on their own?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The likelihood of spontaneous healing of gastric ulcers is very low. The most common cause of gastric ulcers is *Helicobacter pylori* (H. pylori) infection. Without appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the bacteria persist, potentially leading to recurrent gastric ulcers—spontaneous resolution does not occur. Only under a physician’s guidance and with targeted anti-inflammatory (and anti-H. pylori) treatment can the infection be effectively eradicated. In cases where gastric ulcers are induced by certain medications, discontinuation of the offending drug may allow for spontaneous healing.
