Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsOutlookFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
Peptic ulcer diseaseis a condition in which there are one or more sores (ulcers) in the stomach lining or in the lining of the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). In some cases, an ulcer can bleed. The bleeding can be minimal or severe. Treatment can help with symptoms and eventually cause the ulcer to go away.
This article looks at the symptoms, causes, treatment, and complications of bleeding ulcers.
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Minor ulcers may not cause any symptoms. But some potentialsymptoms of ulcersmay include:
If an ulcer is bleeding, you may also experience:
Often, people don’t know they have a bleeding ulcer. They might have extreme fatigue or othersymptoms of anemia(a low number of healthy red blood cells). The anemia may be diagnosed before the ulcer.
The pain from an ulcer tends to be dull and achy instead of sharp. It can last for hours or come and go.
When to Seek Medical HelpIt’s important to see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing several of the above-listed symptoms. An ulcer can lead to complications if left untreated.Get emergency treatment if you:Experience sudden sharp pain in your abdomenDevelop a hard abdomen that hurts when you touch itAre throwing up blood (this can look like coffee grounds)Have blood in your stoolExperience symptoms of shock like sweating profusely or confusion
When to Seek Medical Help
It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing several of the above-listed symptoms. An ulcer can lead to complications if left untreated.Get emergency treatment if you:Experience sudden sharp pain in your abdomenDevelop a hard abdomen that hurts when you touch itAre throwing up blood (this can look like coffee grounds)Have blood in your stoolExperience symptoms of shock like sweating profusely or confusion
It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing several of the above-listed symptoms. An ulcer can lead to complications if left untreated.
Get emergency treatment if you:
Ulcers can happen for several reasons. Some of the most common causes are:
Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria
Most people with stomach ulcers have aHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection present in their gut. However, not everyone with this type of bacteria will develop stomach ulcers.
This bacterium can damage the special mucous coating that protects the small intestine and stomach lining, allowing stomach acid to reach the lining and eat away at the tissue.
Everything You Need to Know About H. Pylori Infection
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Frequently taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen) can also elevate your risk of developing an ulcer.
While NSAIDs can help with pain, fever, and inflammation, they also reduce the natural mucous layer that protects the stomach from its own acid. This can lead to ulcers, especially if you take NSAIDs regularly.
NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcer Risk
Rare Tumors
A rare condition (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) results in tumors that produce the hormone gastrin. This stimulates the release of large amounts of stomach acid and leads to ulcers.
Risk FactorsYou’re at higher risk for developing ulcers if you:Drink excessivelySmoke regularlyUse chewing tobaccoAre experiencing high amounts of stressHave recently undergone radiation therapyAre very illUse NSAIDs regularly
Risk Factors
You’re at higher risk for developing ulcers if you:Drink excessivelySmoke regularlyUse chewing tobaccoAre experiencing high amounts of stressHave recently undergone radiation therapyAre very illUse NSAIDs regularly
You’re at higher risk for developing ulcers if you:
If anH. pyloriinfection is causing your ulcer, a doctor will also prescribe antibiotics to kill anyH. pyloribacteria in your digestive tract.
In cases where the bleeding is severe, a person may need a blood transfusion as part of treatment.
Typically, healthcare providers perform surgery when an ulcer is bleeding profusely, and the bleeding doesn’t stop. You may also need surgery if the stomach or small intestine lining tears because the ulcer has eaten away at the tissue.
Stomach Ulcer Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Left untreated, an ulcer can eventually lead to a tear in the stomach or small intestine lining and cause severe internal bleeding.The bacteriumHelicobacter pylori(often associated with ulcers) is in itself a significant risk factor for stomach cancer.
Proper treatment can get rid of an ulcer and prevent serious complications. However, ulcers often come back. If you continue to take NSAIDs frequently, for example, you may develop another ulcer.
Summary
A bleeding ulcer isn’t a symptom to ignore. Untreated ulcers can lead to complications like severe blood loss or perforation of the tissue lining your stomach. Thankfully, there are ways to treat ulcers and stop bleeding.
If severe bleeding or treatment doesn’t stop or slow the bleeding, a healthcare provider may recommend surgery.
If you have any symptoms of an ulcer, make an appointment with a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and start treatment. Blood in your stool or vomit, along with severe abdominal pain, is a sign that you haveinternal bleeding that needs immediate attention.
Ideally, you should receive treatment before an ulcer gets to this point. With treatment, most ulcers will heal and won’t lead to complications like severe blood loss.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBecause an ulcer is a woundinsideyour body, it won’t feel the same as a cut or scrape on the surface of your skin. You may not even have symptoms. If an ulcer starts to bleed heavily, though, you may feel light-headed or faint because of blood loss.Sometimes. However, ulcers tend to return on their own, too. Getting treatment increases the chances that ulcers won’t come back.This depends on the type and size of the ulcer. A large stomach ulcer, for instance, may take several months to heal.
Because an ulcer is a woundinsideyour body, it won’t feel the same as a cut or scrape on the surface of your skin. You may not even have symptoms. If an ulcer starts to bleed heavily, though, you may feel light-headed or faint because of blood loss.
Sometimes. However, ulcers tend to return on their own, too. Getting treatment increases the chances that ulcers won’t come back.
This depends on the type and size of the ulcer. A large stomach ulcer, for instance, may take several months to heal.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Peptic ulcer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).Harvard Health.Peptic ulcer.NHS.Treatment.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Peptic ulcer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).Harvard Health.Peptic ulcer.NHS.Treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Peptic ulcer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).Harvard Health.Peptic ulcer.NHS.Treatment.
MedlinePlus.Peptic ulcer.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).
American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers).
Harvard Health.Peptic ulcer.
NHS.Treatment.
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