Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsRare SymptomsPeptic Ulcer ComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Peptic Ulcer Disease GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Peptic Ulcer Complications
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Peptic Ulcer Disease Guide
Peptic ulcersare open wounds found either in the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the upper part of the small intestine, otherwise known as theduodenum(duodenal ulcers). Pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom, though many people do not experience any symptoms at all.Peptic ulcers can get worse, may bleed, and can cause a perforation (hole) or obstruction (blockage) in the digestive system—all serious emergencies.This is why you should consult a healthcare provider if you notice any related symptoms.Anna Bizon / Getty ImagesCommon SymptomsPain is the most commonsymptom of a peptic ulcer. Typically, ulcer pain is located in the upper part of the abdomen, anywhere from your breastbone to your navel, but you may also feel it in your back.Your pain may be dull, burning, or gnawing. It is less commonly described as intense or stabbing.Often, the pain is worse at night or in the morning, but it can vary. The duration of pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours.Many people with peptic ulcers particularly complain of pain on an empty stomach. You may experience relief immediately after eating only to have pain return or worsen within an hour.This brief reprieve does not cause people with ulcers to overeat, however, as frequent nausea and discomfort can quash appetite or the desire to eat. Some people feel that certain foods (like high-fat choices)make peptic ulcer symptoms worse, while other foodssoothe an ulcer.Risk Factors for Peptic UlcersLifestyle factors, such as smoking, are a risk factor. Acidic foods and alcohol use change the stomach lining and can make it more susceptible toHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection, a known cause ofstomach ulcers. Overuse ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), medical conditions such asCrohn’s disease, and a genetic predispositionalso may lead to peptic ulcers.Other common symptoms of a peptic ulcer include:Discomfort, bloatingIndigestion, heartburnChronic nauseaor a sense of discomfort with eatingFrequent burpingLoss of appetiteThe warning signs of an ulcer also can include unexplained anemia or iron deficiency.What Are Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers?Rare SymptomsThese symptoms are rare, but are more severe and could point to a complication:Vomiting (with or without blood)Blood in the stool; black and tarry stoolFatigue or weakness, whichcan result from malnutrition or anemia due to small amounts of bleeding from the ulcerUnexplained weight lossSymptoms of peptic ulcers can occur as a result of other conditions, includinggastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), chronic dyspepsia,gallbladder disease, liver disease, or a gastrointestinal infection. It’s important to see your healthcare provider to determine what’s at the root of your pain.Peptic Ulcer ComplicationsThere are many complications that can occur if you have a chronic or worsening peptic ulcer. These include:Bleeding:Bleeding is the most common complication ofpeptic ulcer disease. Slow and subtle bleeding can often go unnoticed and may be detected only once you have developed anemia due to this constant small loss of blood. Black or tarry stools are a sign of this bleeding. But the ulcer can erode a blood vessel and cause a sudden and even massive blood loss, becoming life-threatening.Malnutrition:You can become deficient in vitamins and minerals due to low food intake. Immune deficiencies, bone weakness, and skin fragility can all result from malnutrition, but may not be noticeable at first. However, malnutrition is not common in today’s world as a complication of peptic ulcers.Perforation: An ulcer can eventually wear away at the lining of the stomach or small intestine, causing aperforation(hole), which can leak gastrointestinal fluid into the body. This can cause severe abdominal pain andshock. This is an emergency that requires urgent medical treatment, which is often surgery.Obstruction: An ulcer can become inflamed, blocking the passageway of digested food and causing severe dysfunction of the small intestine. Like perforation, this is a medical emergency.Fistula: A perforated ulcer can establish a connection (fistula) with an adjacent abdominal organ or structure, including the colon, biliary tree, pancreas, or a major blood vessel. This results in exchanges of material and fluids, which can result in vomiting these materials or hemorrhages. This is a medical emergency that requires surgical correction.Complications of Peptic UlcersPeptic ulcer symptoms may be due toH. pyloriinfection,but there are some habits that can contribute to their development, such as taking NSAIDs or smoking.These habits interfere with your natural production of the mucus that coats your digestive system to protect it from acidity, abrasion, and bleeding.Despite common misconceptions, one lifestyle factor thatdoes notcause ulcers is stress. Healthcare providers used to attribute ulcers to stress until the link toH. pyloriwas discovered.Everything You Need to Know About H. Pylori InfectionWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderYou may feel relief with an antacid, but you should not ignore symptoms of a peptic ulcer. If you have persistent symptoms for longer than a week, it is best to see your healthcare provider. They will determine whether you need prescription medications and whether you have complications, such as bleeding or anemia.Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:Pain that radiates to the backPain that doesn’t go away when you take medicationUnintended weight lossWeakness, fatigueVomitingDifficulty swallowingCall or see a healthcare provider immediately if you have these serious symptoms:Vomiting bloodBlack or tar-like stoolSudden, severe pain in the abdominal areaFeverChills, shakingDizzinessLoss of consciousnessA Word From VerywellPeptic ulcers do not simply go away on their own. Be sure to see your healthcare provider when you notice the symptoms. While such an ulcer can take time to heal, the discovery ofH. pylorias a cause makes it curable rather than something you must simply learn to live with.Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms may include vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds and bowel movements that look black and tarry. You may also have anemia from bleeding, which can cause you to feel weak or faint.Seek emergency care for symptoms of a bleeding ulcer.Learn MoreAn Overview of Iron Deficiency AnemiaPain may last for minutes or hours at a time. Symptoms will keep coming back until you get treatment for the ulcer. With treatment, the ulcer may take about eight weeks to heal, but the pain usually goes away after several days.Learn MoreSymptoms and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers in ChildrenMany cases of peptic ulcer are due toH. pyloriinfection, which is treated with an antibiotic.Drugs known as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors limit stomach acids. In some cases, surgery may be needed.Learn MoreHow Peptic Ulcers Are TreatedCauses and Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcersare open wounds found either in the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the upper part of the small intestine, otherwise known as theduodenum(duodenal ulcers). Pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom, though many people do not experience any symptoms at all.
Peptic ulcers can get worse, may bleed, and can cause a perforation (hole) or obstruction (blockage) in the digestive system—all serious emergencies.This is why you should consult a healthcare provider if you notice any related symptoms.
Anna Bizon / Getty Images
Pain is the most commonsymptom of a peptic ulcer. Typically, ulcer pain is located in the upper part of the abdomen, anywhere from your breastbone to your navel, but you may also feel it in your back.
Your pain may be dull, burning, or gnawing. It is less commonly described as intense or stabbing.
Often, the pain is worse at night or in the morning, but it can vary. The duration of pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours.Many people with peptic ulcers particularly complain of pain on an empty stomach. You may experience relief immediately after eating only to have pain return or worsen within an hour.
This brief reprieve does not cause people with ulcers to overeat, however, as frequent nausea and discomfort can quash appetite or the desire to eat. Some people feel that certain foods (like high-fat choices)make peptic ulcer symptoms worse, while other foodssoothe an ulcer.
Risk Factors for Peptic UlcersLifestyle factors, such as smoking, are a risk factor. Acidic foods and alcohol use change the stomach lining and can make it more susceptible toHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection, a known cause ofstomach ulcers. Overuse ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), medical conditions such asCrohn’s disease, and a genetic predispositionalso may lead to peptic ulcers.
Risk Factors for Peptic Ulcers
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, are a risk factor. Acidic foods and alcohol use change the stomach lining and can make it more susceptible toHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection, a known cause ofstomach ulcers. Overuse ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), medical conditions such asCrohn’s disease, and a genetic predispositionalso may lead to peptic ulcers.
Other common symptoms of a peptic ulcer include:
The warning signs of an ulcer also can include unexplained anemia or iron deficiency.
What Are Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers?
These symptoms are rare, but are more severe and could point to a complication:
Symptoms of peptic ulcers can occur as a result of other conditions, includinggastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), chronic dyspepsia,gallbladder disease, liver disease, or a gastrointestinal infection. It’s important to see your healthcare provider to determine what’s at the root of your pain.
There are many complications that can occur if you have a chronic or worsening peptic ulcer. These include:
Complications of Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcer symptoms may be due toH. pyloriinfection,but there are some habits that can contribute to their development, such as taking NSAIDs or smoking.
These habits interfere with your natural production of the mucus that coats your digestive system to protect it from acidity, abrasion, and bleeding.
Despite common misconceptions, one lifestyle factor thatdoes notcause ulcers is stress. Healthcare providers used to attribute ulcers to stress until the link toH. pyloriwas discovered.
Everything You Need to Know About H. Pylori Infection
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You may feel relief with an antacid, but you should not ignore symptoms of a peptic ulcer. If you have persistent symptoms for longer than a week, it is best to see your healthcare provider. They will determine whether you need prescription medications and whether you have complications, such as bleeding or anemia.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:
Call or see a healthcare provider immediately if you have these serious symptoms:Vomiting bloodBlack or tar-like stoolSudden, severe pain in the abdominal areaFeverChills, shakingDizzinessLoss of consciousness
Call or see a healthcare provider immediately if you have these serious symptoms:
A Word From Verywell
Peptic ulcers do not simply go away on their own. Be sure to see your healthcare provider when you notice the symptoms. While such an ulcer can take time to heal, the discovery ofH. pylorias a cause makes it curable rather than something you must simply learn to live with.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms may include vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds and bowel movements that look black and tarry. You may also have anemia from bleeding, which can cause you to feel weak or faint.Seek emergency care for symptoms of a bleeding ulcer.Learn MoreAn Overview of Iron Deficiency AnemiaPain may last for minutes or hours at a time. Symptoms will keep coming back until you get treatment for the ulcer. With treatment, the ulcer may take about eight weeks to heal, but the pain usually goes away after several days.Learn MoreSymptoms and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers in ChildrenMany cases of peptic ulcer are due toH. pyloriinfection, which is treated with an antibiotic.Drugs known as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors limit stomach acids. In some cases, surgery may be needed.Learn MoreHow Peptic Ulcers Are Treated
Symptoms may include vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds and bowel movements that look black and tarry. You may also have anemia from bleeding, which can cause you to feel weak or faint.Seek emergency care for symptoms of a bleeding ulcer.Learn MoreAn Overview of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Symptoms may include vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds and bowel movements that look black and tarry. You may also have anemia from bleeding, which can cause you to feel weak or faint.Seek emergency care for symptoms of a bleeding ulcer.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Pain may last for minutes or hours at a time. Symptoms will keep coming back until you get treatment for the ulcer. With treatment, the ulcer may take about eight weeks to heal, but the pain usually goes away after several days.Learn MoreSymptoms and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers in Children
Pain may last for minutes or hours at a time. Symptoms will keep coming back until you get treatment for the ulcer. With treatment, the ulcer may take about eight weeks to heal, but the pain usually goes away after several days.
Learn MoreSymptoms and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers in Children
Many cases of peptic ulcer are due toH. pyloriinfection, which is treated with an antibiotic.Drugs known as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors limit stomach acids. In some cases, surgery may be needed.Learn MoreHow Peptic Ulcers Are Treated
Many cases of peptic ulcer are due toH. pyloriinfection, which is treated with an antibiotic.Drugs known as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors limit stomach acids. In some cases, surgery may be needed.
Learn MoreHow Peptic Ulcers Are Treated
Causes and Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer Disease
11 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.Lee SP, Sung IK, Kim JH, Lee SY, Park HS, Shim CS.Risk Factors for the Presence of Symptoms in Peptic Ulcer Disease.Clin Endosc.2017;50(6):578-584. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.129Lim YJ.Genetic susceptibility of gastroduodenal disease in ethnic and regional diversity.Gut Liver.2014;8(6):575-6. doi:10.5009/gnl14313Malik TF, Singh K.Peptic Ulcer Disease. StatPearls Publishing.Budimir I, Stojsavljević S, Baršić N, et al.Scoring systems for peptic ulcer bleeding: Which one to use?World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(41):7450-7458. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i41.7450Vomero ND, Colpo E.Nutritional care in peptic ulcer.Arq Bras Cir Dig.2014;27(4):298-302. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202014000400017Chung KT, Shelat VG.Perforated peptic ulcer - an update.World J Gastrointest Surg.2017;9(1):1-12. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v9.i1.1Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC.Peptic Ulcer Disease.Am Fam Physician.Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E.Peptic Ulcer Disease and infection.Mo Med.Harvard Health Publishing.Peptic ulcer.Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Peptic ulcers.Safavi M, Sabourian R, Foroumadi A.Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current and future insights.World J Clin Cases.2016 Jan 16;4(1):5-19. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i1.5Additional ReadingAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Peptic Ulcer Disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers).
11 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.Lee SP, Sung IK, Kim JH, Lee SY, Park HS, Shim CS.Risk Factors for the Presence of Symptoms in Peptic Ulcer Disease.Clin Endosc.2017;50(6):578-584. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.129Lim YJ.Genetic susceptibility of gastroduodenal disease in ethnic and regional diversity.Gut Liver.2014;8(6):575-6. doi:10.5009/gnl14313Malik TF, Singh K.Peptic Ulcer Disease. StatPearls Publishing.Budimir I, Stojsavljević S, Baršić N, et al.Scoring systems for peptic ulcer bleeding: Which one to use?World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(41):7450-7458. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i41.7450Vomero ND, Colpo E.Nutritional care in peptic ulcer.Arq Bras Cir Dig.2014;27(4):298-302. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202014000400017Chung KT, Shelat VG.Perforated peptic ulcer - an update.World J Gastrointest Surg.2017;9(1):1-12. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v9.i1.1Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC.Peptic Ulcer Disease.Am Fam Physician.Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E.Peptic Ulcer Disease and infection.Mo Med.Harvard Health Publishing.Peptic ulcer.Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Peptic ulcers.Safavi M, Sabourian R, Foroumadi A.Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current and future insights.World J Clin Cases.2016 Jan 16;4(1):5-19. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i1.5Additional ReadingAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Peptic Ulcer Disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers).
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.
Lee SP, Sung IK, Kim JH, Lee SY, Park HS, Shim CS.Risk Factors for the Presence of Symptoms in Peptic Ulcer Disease.Clin Endosc.2017;50(6):578-584. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.129Lim YJ.Genetic susceptibility of gastroduodenal disease in ethnic and regional diversity.Gut Liver.2014;8(6):575-6. doi:10.5009/gnl14313Malik TF, Singh K.Peptic Ulcer Disease. StatPearls Publishing.Budimir I, Stojsavljević S, Baršić N, et al.Scoring systems for peptic ulcer bleeding: Which one to use?World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(41):7450-7458. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i41.7450Vomero ND, Colpo E.Nutritional care in peptic ulcer.Arq Bras Cir Dig.2014;27(4):298-302. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202014000400017Chung KT, Shelat VG.Perforated peptic ulcer - an update.World J Gastrointest Surg.2017;9(1):1-12. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v9.i1.1Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC.Peptic Ulcer Disease.Am Fam Physician.Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E.Peptic Ulcer Disease and infection.Mo Med.Harvard Health Publishing.Peptic ulcer.Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Peptic ulcers.Safavi M, Sabourian R, Foroumadi A.Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current and future insights.World J Clin Cases.2016 Jan 16;4(1):5-19. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i1.5
Lee SP, Sung IK, Kim JH, Lee SY, Park HS, Shim CS.Risk Factors for the Presence of Symptoms in Peptic Ulcer Disease.Clin Endosc.2017;50(6):578-584. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.129
Lim YJ.Genetic susceptibility of gastroduodenal disease in ethnic and regional diversity.Gut Liver.2014;8(6):575-6. doi:10.5009/gnl14313
Malik TF, Singh K.Peptic Ulcer Disease. StatPearls Publishing.
Budimir I, Stojsavljević S, Baršić N, et al.Scoring systems for peptic ulcer bleeding: Which one to use?World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(41):7450-7458. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i41.7450
Vomero ND, Colpo E.Nutritional care in peptic ulcer.Arq Bras Cir Dig.2014;27(4):298-302. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202014000400017
Chung KT, Shelat VG.Perforated peptic ulcer - an update.World J Gastrointest Surg.2017;9(1):1-12. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v9.i1.1
Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC.Peptic Ulcer Disease.Am Fam Physician.
Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E.Peptic Ulcer Disease and infection.Mo Med.
Harvard Health Publishing.Peptic ulcer.
Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Peptic ulcers.
Safavi M, Sabourian R, Foroumadi A.Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current and future insights.World J Clin Cases.2016 Jan 16;4(1):5-19. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i1.5
American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic Ulcer Disease.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.Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers).
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