Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionComplicationsWhen to Seek CareNext in Peptic Ulcer Disease GuideStomach (Peptic) Ulcers: Symptoms and Complications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
When to Seek Care
Next in Peptic Ulcer Disease Guide
Peptic ulcer diseaseis a condition that involves open sores that affect the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).These sores are located in thegastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is the path food and drinks take as they enter the body through the mouth, are digested, and then exit the body through the anus.When acid comes in contact with the lining of the GI tract, it can damage the tissue and cause open sores.
Learn about the symptoms, types, and treatments for peptic ulcer disease.
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What Are the Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers?
Peptic ulcers can causepainand discomfort in the upper abdominal area, especially during or after eating or if too much time has passed without eating.Additional symptoms include:
However, some people experience nosymptomsat all.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Types of Peptic Ulcers
Gastric Ulcers
“Gastric” is a word that means “related to the stomach.“As the name suggests, gastric ulcers are located in the stomach.They can develop when the stomach acid used to digest food irritates the lining of the stomach until it creates an open sore.
Duodenal Ulcers
After food leaves the stomach and continues through the digestive tract, it enters the duodenum.This is the first part of the small intestine and continues thedigestive process.When peptic ulcers occur in the duodenum lining, they are called duodenal ulcers.
Stomach Ulcers vs. GERD
There are various possiblecausesof peptic ulcers, including:
How to Diagnose
At an office visit, a healthcare provider will take your medical history and evaluate your symptoms to diagnose a peptic ulcer.Depending on your symptoms and health history, they may also recommend a blood test,stool sample, or a test that uses a camera placed in the stomach and duodenum (endoscopy).
A provider may recommend an upper GI series, which involves drinking a liquid visible on X-ray images (barium). When the provider reviews the X-ray, the barium helps them identify any abnormalities and determine if your symptoms are due to peptic ulcers or something else.
How to Treat
Can You Prevent a Peptic Ulcer?
Stress and mental health challenges are also linked to worsening symptoms of peptic ulcers, so preventing and reducing stress and addressing mental health concerns are important.
Even though peptic ulcers are generally not a severe concern, they can lead tocomplicationslike perforations, holes that penetrate through the stomach lining or duodenum.Other possible complications include bleeding or a blockage in the passage of food through the digestive tract.
It is important to seek care for peptic ulcers immediately for sharp pain that comes on suddenly,shock symptomsif your abdomen is hard or tender, or you notice blood in vomit or stool, or you are not able to pass gas or stool.These are all possible signs of a medical emergency that may requiresurgery. Medical professionals can determine the cause of the ulcers and provide treatment options.
Summary
16 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.The University of Pennsylvania Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of peptic ulcers.National Cancer Institute.Gastric.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Peptic ulcer.National Cancer Institute.Duodenum.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).UCLA Health.Two commonly confused conditions.National Health Service.Stomach ulcer causes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of peptic ulcers.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of peptic ulcers.University of Arizona College of Public Health.H. pylori prevention.Lee YB, Yu J, Choi HH, et al.The association between peptic ulcer diseases and mental health problems.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(34):e7828. doi:doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007828National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for peptic ulcers.
16 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.The University of Pennsylvania Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of peptic ulcers.National Cancer Institute.Gastric.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Peptic ulcer.National Cancer Institute.Duodenum.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).UCLA Health.Two commonly confused conditions.National Health Service.Stomach ulcer causes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of peptic ulcers.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of peptic ulcers.University of Arizona College of Public Health.H. pylori prevention.Lee YB, Yu J, Choi HH, et al.The association between peptic ulcer diseases and mental health problems.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(34):e7828. doi:doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007828National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for peptic 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.
The University of Pennsylvania Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of peptic ulcers.National Cancer Institute.Gastric.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Peptic ulcer.National Cancer Institute.Duodenum.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).UCLA Health.Two commonly confused conditions.National Health Service.Stomach ulcer causes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of peptic ulcers.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of peptic ulcers.University of Arizona College of Public Health.H. pylori prevention.Lee YB, Yu J, Choi HH, et al.The association between peptic ulcer diseases and mental health problems.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(34):e7828. doi:doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007828National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for peptic ulcers.
The University of Pennsylvania Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.
National Cancer Institute.Gastrointestinal tract.
American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Peptic ulcer disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of peptic ulcers.
National Cancer Institute.Gastric.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Peptic ulcer.
National Cancer Institute.Duodenum.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).
UCLA Health.Two commonly confused conditions.
National Health Service.Stomach ulcer causes.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of peptic ulcers.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of peptic ulcers.
University of Arizona College of Public Health.H. pylori prevention.
Lee YB, Yu J, Choi HH, et al.The association between peptic ulcer diseases and mental health problems.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(34):e7828. doi:doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007828
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for peptic ulcers.
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