XI. Planning Discharge

Medications:

Ranitidine 150 mg, Orally Once a day, before bedtime

Omeprazole 20 mg orally Once a day, before meal

Amoxicillin 500 mg Tab, Twice a Day

Avoid drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. Take all medicines with plenty of water.

Exercise:

Abdominal exercises such as crunches and sit-ups are used to tighten abdominal muscles.

These exercises increase intra-abdominal pressure, which can worsen heartburn and other

symptoms of ulcers. Vigorous abdominal exercises may also cause existing ulcers to

perforate through the wall of the stomach. If you experience sudden severe abdominal

pain after engaging in abdominal exercises, seek immediate medical attention.

(http://www.livestrong.com)

Regular physical exercise can help improve ulcers and your overall health. Exercise also

prevents ulcers from becoming complicated. Participate in physical exercise such as

walking, bicycling, swimming, cycling and jogging. Avoid exercises that strain the

abdominal region. (According to a study published in the "Western Journal of Medicine)

Treatment:

Stop smoking. Tobacco will slow the healing of your ulcer and increase the chance that

the ulcer will come back. Talk to your doctor about getting help for quitting tobacco.

Health Education:

Try to reduce your stress level and learn ways to better manage stress.

Do not just stop taking medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Out Patient Follow-Up:

You will have follow-up visits with your doctor to see how your ulcer is healing.

Your doctor may want to perform an upper endoscopy after treatment to make sure

healing has taken place.

You will also need follow-up testing to check that the H. pylori bacteria are gone. You

should wait at least 2 weeks after therapy is completed to be retested. Test results before

that time may not be accurate.

Diet:

It does not help to eat more often or increase the amount of milk and dairy products you

consume. These changes may even cause more stomach acid.

Avoid foods and drinks that cause discomfort for you these include alcohol, coffee,

caffeinated soda, fatty foods, chocolate, and spicy foods.

Avoid eating late night snacks.

Eat small meals more often rather than big meals less often. An empty stomach may

make your symptoms worse.

Social:

Contact your doctor if:

You have a fever.

You have diarrhea or constipation.

Your stomach pain does not go away or gets worse after you take medicine.

You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately if:

You have a fast heartbeat, fast breathing, or are too dizzy or weak to stand up.

You have severe pain in your stomach.

Your vomit looks like coffee grounds or has blood in it.

Your bowel movements are bloody or black

You have sudden shortness of breath.