My long-standing stomach ulcer

I have been battling stomach ulcer for the past 10 years. Although I have been able to control it with medications and diet, I will like to know if I can have a permanent solution to the problem.

Chiamaka (by SMS)

Different factors can cause stomach ulcer. These include, infection, frequent use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, radiation therapy and stomach cancer. With proper treatment, most peptic ulcers heal. However, you may not heal if you stop taking your medication early or continue to use tobacco and pain relievers during treatment.  Some ulcers, called refractory ulcers, don’t heal with treatment. If your ulcer doesn’t heal with the initial treatment, this can indicate an excessive production of stomach acid, the presence of some untreated infection as well as the presence of another disease, such as stomach cancer or Crohn’s disease. It is, therefore, important for your doctor to examine the inside of your stomach to rule out any of the above diseases through endoscopy. Maintaining a stress free and  healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and quitting smoking and other tobacco use will also help you prevent developing a peptic ulcer.