What Are Peptic Ulcers Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch Peptic Ulcer What Are Peptic Ulcers Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention By Ashley WelchMedically Reviewed by Kareem Sassi, MD Reviewed: December 4, 2020 Medically Reviewed A peptic ulcer is a type of sore that develops in the digestive system. These sores occur when the acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum, the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach. Types of Peptic Ulcers The most common kinds of peptic ulcers are: Gastric ulcers A common type of ulcer, these occur on the inside of the stomach. Duodenal ulcers These are located at the beginning of the small intestine (called the small bowel or duodenum). Esophageal ulcers These occur inside the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach). Signs and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers Many people with peptic ulcers don't have any signs, but upper Extend from your navel up to your breastboneFeel worse when your stomach is emptyFeel better temporarily when you eat certain foods or take an Causes and Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcers For a long time, it was believed that spicy foods or stress led to peptic ulcers — but doctors now know that this isn't the case. In fact, the most common causes of ulcers are:Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that can infect your stomachUse of This occurs when a tumor of acid-producing cells forms in the digestive tract, which produces an excessive amount of acid that damages tissue in the stomach. How Are Peptic Ulcers Diagnosed If your doctor suspects you might have a peptic ulcer, he will take a full medical history and perform a physical exam. Diagnostic tests you might take include:Lab test for H. pylori A blood, stool, or breath test may be used to determine whether H. pylori bacteria are present in your body.Endoscopy During this procedure, a hollow tube with a lens will be passed down your throat to your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This will allow your doctor to look for a peptic ulcer and take a Most Recent in Digestive Health Gut Check Can Cookie Dough Really Harm Your Gut 5 Natural Ways to Manage Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms Early Research Reveals Key Player in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease How to Help Your Teen Cope With the Mental Health Challenges of IBD Duration of Peptic Ulcers Ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori heal when the bacteria is killed. The typical course of treatment includes two weeks of antibiotics along with acid-suppressing medicine. This is followed by an additional four to eight weeks of the acid-suppressing medicine alone. It’s possible for an ulcer to heal temporarily without antibiotics, but it will likely recur or another one will form nearby if the bacteria is not killed.Peptic ulcers caused by medication usually heal shortly after you stop taking the medication. Doctors typically recommend taking Treatment and Medication Options for Peptic Ulcers Your course of treatment will be based on what's causing the ulcer. Medication OptionsPossible drug treatments include Alternative and Complementary Therapies Certain lifestyle changes can help you recover from an ulcer.Watch your diet. If you know that there are specific foods that make your ulcer feel worse, avoid them until your treatment is over. For many people, these include alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, spicy foods, and chocolate. Stop smoking. If you Complications of Peptic Ulcers Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in severe complications and emergencies.Internal bleeding You can have bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or duodenum when the ulcer opens a blood vessel. Ulcers can cause bleeding that occurs slowly over time or quickly, possibly resulting in hemorrhaging that can be life-threatening due to shock. Sometimes you may not notice a bleeding ulcer until you become Research and Statistics How Many People Have Peptic Ulcers Related Conditions and Causes of Peptic Ulcers In rare instances, peptic ulcers may be caused by a condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which occurs when one or more tumors form in the Resources We Love Favorite Organizations for Essential Information on Peptic Ulcers Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers). Show Less NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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