Some people may be able to prevent peptic ulcers. Prevention tips include:

• Diet and eating habits. Small, frequent meals are gentler on the stomach than occasional, large meals. Bland diets may not actually prevent ulcers, but can help reduce stomach acid and may minimize ulcer damage. Foods that irritate the lining of the stomach, especially those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty, can usually be avoided. Recent research also suggests that consuming vitamin C may also inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
  
  
• Substance avoidance. Alcohol and cigarette smoking can irritate the stomach and reduce digestion and healing times. Avoiding these substances helps to prevent peptic ulcers.
  
  
• Medication awareness. Medications that irritate the stomach lining, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can usually be avoided. COX-2 inhibitors are a type of NSAID that is less likely to irritate the stomach. However, these drugs may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke with long-term use. When these medications cannot be avoided, their potential to cause peptic ulcers may be negated by using medications that reduce the production of stomach acid and protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum (e.g., proton pump inhibitors). Patients should consult their physician about medications that may have fewer damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
  
  
• Stress management. Stress causes irritation to the lining of the stomach and duodenum. There are a number of stress management and relaxation techniques available to reduce this risk factor and help to prevent peptic ulcers.

Scientists recently discovered that a protein called decay-accelerating factor (DAF), which is found in epithelial cells, acts as a receptor for H. pylori bacteria. This discovery may lead to the development of new medications to prevent peptic ulcers from forming.