From the Research
The treatment for Cameron ulcers typically involves a combination of acid suppression therapy and addressing the underlying hiatal hernia, with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole (20-40mg daily), pantoprazole (40mg daily), or esomeprazole (40mg daily) being the first-line medications, as supported by studies such as 1. The goal of treatment is to reduce gastric acid production, allowing the ulcers to heal, and to address any iron deficiency anemia that may be present.
- Key treatment components include:
- Acid suppression therapy with PPIs, which have been shown to be effective in healing gastric ulcers, as demonstrated in studies like 1 where pantoprazole and omeprazole were compared.
- Addressing the underlying hiatal hernia, which may involve surgical repair for severe or refractory cases.
- Iron supplementation, such as ferrous sulfate (325mg three times daily) or ferrous gluconate (300mg twice daily), to treat iron deficiency anemia.
- The effectiveness of medical therapy is based on reducing gastric acid production, which allows the ulcers to heal, while iron supplementation replenishes depleted stores, as discussed in 2 and 3.
- Regular endoscopic follow-up is recommended to monitor healing and assess for recurrence, typically at 8-12 weeks after initiating treatment and then annually if symptoms are controlled, a practice supported by the outcomes of studies like 4 and 5.