How to Identify Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

Peptic ulcers appear on the lining of the stomach and are caused by stomach acid. Peptic ulcers do not generally cause sever complications, but diagnosis and treatment can bring great relief to the sufferer. Also, in the rare instance of a serious complication, knowing the symptoms is helpful.

Things You'll Need

• Health Care Provider

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Instructions

How to Identify Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

• 1

  Report any stomach pains to your doctor. This is the most obvious sign of an ulcer. Even general discomfort should be mentioned if experienced regularly.

• 2

  Do not ignore the simple signs such as belching or heartburn. It's easy to blame these symptoms on a spicy meal, but they can also be a sign of a peptic ulcer and should be mentioned to your health care provider.

• 3

  Notify your doctor of any vomiting or bowel movement changes. If the changes include noticing blood in either, see your doctor immediately. Bleeding is one of the rare complications of a peptic ulcer and should be addressed with a health care professional right away.

• 4

  Talk to your doctor about any appetite changes or weight changes, especially if you notice weight loss without effort. Many other conditions can cause this, but they can also be a sign of an ulcer.

• 5

  Tell your health care provider is you experience any difficulty in swallowing. Although this symptom alone may seem unrelated to a peptic ulcer, it is a sign and should be mentioned, especially if experienced with any other symptom.