Gastric ulcer treatment. Gastroscope (endoscope) view of a gastric ulcer (white, upper centre) on the lining of the stomach about to be treated by electrocautery. A gold contact probe is seen at left, which will use a large electric current to seal a bleeding blood vessel in the ulcer. An ulcer forms when digestive juices in the stomach attack the stomach walls due to reduced production of the protective mucus which lines the walls. This can be caused by foods and chemicals which irritate the stomach lining, such as alcohol, caffeine and aspirin, or by bacteria.