Classic Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer

According to the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse, peptic ulcers are sores that found on either the stomach lining or the beginning part of the small intestine. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some patients may not experience symptoms at all, but that is not the norm.

Statistics

• According to the Mayo Clinic, roughly 10 percent of Americans will develop some kind of ulcer in their lifetimes.

Causes

• There are many cause of peptic ulcers, including bacteria (specifically helicobacter pylori), the use of aspirin and aspirin-containing products and pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Stress and food choices only make the ulcer worse; they do not cause them.

Common Symptoms

• Common symptoms of a peptic ulcer include abdominal pain between the belly button and sternum that is dull or burning, that may come and go and occurs shortly after eating or when the stomach is empty. The pain usually flares at night. The pain may ease when you eat and decrease with the use of antacids like Tums.

Other Symptoms

• Because the common symptoms listed above revolve around eating, weight loss (due to lack of appetite), stomach bloating and belching and even nausea with or without vomiting can occur.

Emergency Symptoms

• You must call a doctor or visit the nearest emergency room if you develop sudden severe pain in your stomach, if you begin to vomit blood (looks like coffee grounds) or have bloody stools (they will look like black tar). Any of these symptoms can mean internal bleeding and perforation.