Ulcer Symptoms? Report Them to Your Doctor for Timely Treatment
Stomach ulcer symptoms include recurrent pain and/or a burning sensation in the upper or middle abdomen.
Most people have an occasional stomachache or a burning sensation in their chest from time to time, but how do you know when peptic ulcer symptoms may be at play? A peptic ulcer is a sore that forms on the inner lining of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the esophagus to the upper section of the small intestine.
Ulcer symptoms may include:
- Pain and/or a burning sensation in your abdominal area between your breastbone (the bone in the center of your chest) and your navel (belly button).
- Pain that begins or worsens after eating.
- Pain that begins or worsens when your stomach is empty, especially at night.
- Pain that comes and goes; it may last an hour, several hours, or a few days, and it may go away, only to recur in a few days or even weeks.
If an ulcer is severe, it may bleed. Symptoms of a bleeding ulcer include vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, and stools (bowel movements) that contain blood or that look black or tarry.
WHAT CAUSES ULCERS?
It was once believed that eating spicy foods caused ulcer symptoms, but research has found that the majority of peptic ulcers are caused by a type of bacteria called Helico-bacter pylori (H. pylori, for short) or by a medication.
It is estimated that more than half of the world’s population has H. pylori. For some people, H. pylori causes no problems, but for others, it produces infection and ulcers. (See our post on natural treatments for H. pylori-related issues.)
Medications that may cause ulcers include:
- OTC and prescription pain medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), and
- ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), especially if they are taken regularly or frequently
- Bisphosphonate medications used to treat osteoporosis (Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva, Recast)
- Potassium supplements
Ulcer Relief
Taking a medication intended to treat indigestion or heartburn may provide temporary relief of ulcer symptoms. These medications include:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids such as Rolaids, Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, and Pepto-Bismol.
- OTC or prescription drugs that block acid, including Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid.
- OTC or prescription drugs that decrease acid production, including Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, and Zegerid.
Ulcer symptoms are similar to signs of other problems that may occur in the gastrointestinal system. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so he or she can evaluate the cause. (See also our post “What Is GERD? Dealing with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.”)
Types of Ulcers
- An esophageal ulcer is located in the esophagus, the passageway that transports food into the stomach.
- A gastric ulcer is located in the stomach.
- A duodenal ulcer is located in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
Avoid Complications
If you have a peptic ulcer, seek treatment to prevent complications, which can include internal bleeding, an infection in your abdominal cavity (caused by a perforated ulcer that has eaten though the wall of the GI tract), and formation of scar tissue that can prevent food from moving through your digestive tract.
Once your ulcer has been successfully treated, your ulcer symptoms will improve.
For further reading, see these University Health News posts:
- “Conventional vs. Natural Heartburn Remedies—How to Test for Hypochlorhydria to Determine the Best Treatment“
- “4 Causes of Gastritis That You Can Treat on Your Own“
- “Gastritis Relief: The Key Is to Treat the Root Cause“
DUODENAL ULCER DETAIL
In this question-and-answer from Duke Medicine Health News, we offer more detail on the topic of duodenal ulcers, a type of peptic ulcer.
Q: What are duodenal ulcers? Is there treatment for these?
A: Duodenal ulcers, a subset of peptic ulcers, occur on the inside of the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenum). Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. About one in 10 Americans will develop a peptic ulcer, making this one of the most common gastrointestinal problems.
The first sign of an ulcer is usually a burning sensation in the upper to middle abdomen that occurs within one to two hours after a meal; it also may cause bloating, belching, heartburn, nausea, or intolerance to fatty foods. The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of aspirin and certain other painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox), but not acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Stress and spicy foods do not cause peptic ulcers but they can exacerbate your symptoms. Occasionally, ulcers can cause severe symptoms, like blood in vomit or stools or trouble breathing, and can lead to gastric cancer. Since 1982, when researchers discovered that many peptic ulcers are caused by the H. pylori bacterium, antibiotics and medicines that decrease stomach acid have been the main treatment.
Originally published in 2016 and regularly updated.
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A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum; it's often caused by a type of bacteria known as H. pylori or by a medication.
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