All types of peptic ulcer require medical treatment. Over-the-counter medications may help relieve the symptoms, however, the sore will not heal on its own. On the contrary, it can lead to potentially life-threatening complications if you do not receive proper treatment.
Ulcer treatment depends on the underlying cause. In most cases, it needs antibiotic treatment to kill the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which is the most common cause of ulcers. If you are prescribed antibiotics, make sure to complete the entire course (they are usually taken two weeks) even if you are feeling better because the ulcer may come back if the infection is not cleared. In addition to antibiotics to kill the Helicobacter pylori, your doctor may also prescribe you acid-reducing medications to promote healing of the ulcer.
If peptic ulcer is not caused by Helicobacter pylori, antibiotic treatment is not required. In this case, ulcer treatment depends on the specific cause. For instance, your doctor may prescribe you different pain relievers if the ulcer is caused by pain killers. You may be also given acid-reducing medications to accelerate ulcer healing.
Most ulcers respond well to treatment with medications, however, additional tests are required if the symptoms do not improve to exclude cancer which can cause similar symptoms. But do not jump to any conclusions because symptoms of ulcer can be also caused by other, less serious factors.
Surgery is reserved for the severest cases of ulcer, most often for life-threatening complications but even then surgery is not always necessary.