Gastric Ulcer-Prime&Naturals

Recurrent stomach discomfort is common in clinical practice. However, in some cases, the problem is no longer only functional discomfort. It may involve actual damage to the stomach lining.

Common presentations include:

Dull or burning pain in the upper abdomen, which may come and go
Discomfort before or after meals, without a consistent pattern
Recurring acid reflux, bloating or burning sensation
Symptoms worsening during stress or irregular daily routine
Temporary relief with medication, followed by recurrence after stopping treatment

These symptoms should be taken seriously, as they may involve a gastric ulcer rather than simple gastritis or stomach sensitivity.

1. How does modern medicine understand gastric ulcers?

A gastric ulcer is a localised break in the stomach lining, usually extending into the deeper layers of the mucosa. It is a type of peptic ulcer disease.

Common causes include:

Helicobacter pylori infection
Long-term use of pain relief medicines known as NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen
Imbalance between stomach acid and the protective function of the stomach lining
Contributing factors such as stress, smoking and alcohol use

Common symptoms include:

Upper abdominal pain or burning pain
Meal-related discomfort, which may either worsen or temporarily improve after eating
Acid reflux or indigestion

Some people may have no obvious symptoms, even when an ulcer is present.

Warning signs that need particular attention include:

Black stools or vomiting blood, which may suggest bleeding
Ongoing unexplained weight loss
Anaemia or worsening fatigue

Clinical focus: a gastric ulcer is a structural injury. Management needs to identify the cause and support healing of the stomach lining, rather than only controlling symptoms.

2. Common management approaches in modern medicine

The management of gastric ulcers focuses on reducing further irritation and promoting healing.

Reducing stomach acid

Proton pump inhibitors, commonly known as PPIs, may be used to reduce acid irritation and allow the ulcer to heal.

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori

If testing is positive, eradication treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-suppressing medication.

Reviewing medication use

Medicines that may irritate or damage the stomach lining, such as NSAIDs, may need to be stopped or adjusted under medical advice.

Diet and lifestyle changes

Reducing irritating foods, alcohol, smoking and irregular eating patterns can help lower ongoing stimulation to the stomach.

Gastroscopy when needed

A gastroscopy may be recommended to assess the location and size of the ulcer and to exclude other conditions.

Clinical focus: treatment aims to create the right conditions for healing, while preventing ongoing irritation that may lead to recurrence or worsening.

3. How does Chinese Medicine understand this condition?

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, gastric ulcers fall within the broad category of epigastric pain. They are often understood as a pattern where underlying deficiency is combined with active irritation or obstruction.

This can be understood through three main aspects:

1. Spleen and Stomach weakness

When digestive transformation and nourishment are weakened, the stomach lining may have reduced capacity to repair.

2. Liver and Stomach disharmony

Stress and emotional tension may disturb the movement of Qi, causing Stomach Qi to move upward or become blocked. This may contribute to pain, reflux and discomfort.

3. Yin deficiency and blood stasis

Stomach Yin deficiency may reduce the protective and nourishing quality of the stomach lining, while blood stasis may affect local repair and healing.

Some people may also have damp-heat, which further irritates the stomach environment.

In Chinese Medicine, the core mechanism often involves Spleen and Stomach weakness as the underlying basis, with disrupted Qi movement, Yin deficiency and blood stasis limiting repair and contributing to repeated irritation of the stomach lining.

4. Pattern assessment at prime&naturals

At prime&naturals, clinical assessment focuses on three key areas:

Whether stomach discomfort is mainly driven by disrupted Qi movement or reduced repair capacity
Whether there is clear tissue damage and long-term recurrence
How strongly symptoms are affected by triggers such as stress, diet and daily routine

Common Chinese Medicine patterns include:

Liver and Stomach disharmony pattern

Common experience: stomach pain and reflux worsen during stress
Clinical feature: symptoms are linked to emotional fluctuation
Key issue: disrupted Qi movement affecting Stomach Qi

Stomach Yin deficiency pattern

Common experience: dull pain, discomfort when hungry or at night
Clinical feature: chronic recurrence with a more noticeable burning sensation
Key issue: insufficient nourishment and reduced protection of the stomach lining

Spleen and Stomach deficiency pattern

Common experience: poor digestion and easy fatigue
Clinical feature: slower recovery and repeated flare-ups
Key issue: reduced repair, transformation and digestive capacity

Blood stasis obstructing the channels pattern

Common experience: pain is more fixed in location
Clinical feature: improvement tends to be slower
Key issue: poor local circulation affecting repair

Damp-heat accumulation pattern

Common experience: stomach fullness, burning sensation and heavier digestive burden
Clinical feature: symptoms are more noticeable or active
Key issue: damp-heat irritating the stomach environment

Pattern assessment helps determine whether treatment should first focus on reducing irritation, supporting repair, or regulating Qi movement and metabolism.

5. Treatment approach at prime&naturals

The focus of care is not simply short-term pain relief. The aim is to support healing of the stomach lining and help the stomach environment become more stable.

Step 1: Reduce stomach irritation

Treatment aims to reduce ongoing irritation from acid, inflammation and dietary or lifestyle triggers.

Step 2: Support repair of the stomach lining

The aim is to improve nourishment and repair capacity so that damaged tissue can gradually recover.

Step 3: Strengthen Spleen and Stomach function

Supporting digestion and absorption provides a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.

Step 4: Regulate Qi movement and stress effects

This helps reduce the impact of emotional stress and irregular routine on stomach symptoms.

Step 5: Build long-term stability

The goal is to help the stomach maintain a steadier state in daily eating, work and lifestyle routines.

Clinical focus: the aim is to help the stomach move from a state of repeated irritation and injury towards better repair capacity and long-term stability.

6. When may Chinese Medicine support be considered?

After appropriate medical assessment and necessary treatment, Chinese Medicine support may be considered in the following situations:

1. Stomach pain or discomfort keeps recurring and has not stabilised

This may suggest that the stomach environment and function have not fully recovered.

2. Discomfort or burning may occur before or after meals

This may reflect imbalance in Stomach Qi movement and the condition of the stomach lining.

3. Symptoms improve with medication but return after stopping

This may indicate reduced repair capacity or insufficient long-term stability.

4. Long-term reflux, bloating or indigestion is also present

These symptoms often involve Spleen and Stomach function as well as Qi regulation.

5. A gastric ulcer has been diagnosed and long-term stability is needed

This is a situation that may benefit from ongoing supportive management alongside standard medical care.

If you experience black stools, vomiting blood, persistent weight loss or severe anaemia, medical assessment should be prioritised.

A gastric ulcer involves damage to the stomach lining. Its progression is closely related to the stomach environment, Qi movement and the body’s repair capacity. Alongside appropriate medical treatment, a whole-body approach may help support healing and reduce the risk of recurrence.