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Peptic ulcer

Show Alternative Names
Ulcer - peptic
Ulcer - duodenal
Ulcer - gastric
Duodenal ulcer
Gastric ulcer
Dyspepsia - ulcers
Bleeding ulcer
Gastrointestinal bleeding - peptic ulcer
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage - peptic ulcer
G.I. bleed - peptic ulcer
H. pylori - peptic ulcer
Helicobacter pylori - peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach or intestine.

Peptic ulcer - Animation

If you've got stomach pain and nausea, any number of gastrointestinal problems could be to blame. When these symptoms don't go away, one possibility is that you have a peptic ulcer. Let's talk about peptic ulcers. A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum. When the defect is in your stomach, it's called a gastric ulcer. A defect in your duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer. Your stomach is filled with strong acid, which breaks down and digests the foods you eat. If you've ever seen a strong acid at work, you know that it starts to burn away anything it touches. That's why your stomach and intestines are equipped with a special lining to protect them. But if that lining breaks down for any reason, acids can start eating their way through. When acids burn a hole all the way through the stomach or duodenum, it's called a perforation, and that's a medical emergency. You may joke that your boss is giving you an ulcer, and it's possible that stress does play some part in ulcers. More likely, your ulcer is caused by a stomach infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori. Other common ulcer risks include smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, or regularly using NSAID pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen. If the ulcer is small, you may have no idea that you have it because there are no symptoms. Larger ulcers can cause abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and nausea. If you have any of these ongoing symptoms, your doctor will look inside your GI tract to see what's going on. One way to do this is with an upper endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera on one end that takes pictures as it moves through your stomach and small intestine. A lower GI is a series of x-rays that are taken after you drink a radioactive substance called barium. Your doctor will also test you for the H. pylori bacteria that may be causing your ulcer. Treatment for peptic ulcers works in two ways. If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll have a medication regimen to kill the bacteria. You'll also get a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor, such as Prilosec or Prevacid, which reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. Try to avoid taking NSAID pain relievers for long periods of time, especially if you have a problem with H. pylori. Use Tylenol instead. If you do have to take NSAIDs, also take an acid-blocking drug to protect your sensitive stomach. Also avoid tobacco smile and excess alcohol. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for treating a peptic ulcer. If you don't follow your treatment as directed, your ulcer could come back. Call your doctor right away if you have sharp stomach pain, you're sweating a lot or feeling confused, or your stomach feels hard to the touch. These could be signs of a serious ulcer complication that needs immediate medical help.

There are two types of peptic ulcers:

  • Gastric ulcer -- occurs in the stomach
  • Duodenal ulcer -- occurs in the first part of the small intestine

Causes

Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines can protect itself against strong stomach acids. But if the lining breaks down, the result may be:

  • Swollen and inflamed tissue (gastritis)
  • An ulcer

Stomach ulcer - Animation

The stomach is the organ of the digestive system in which food travels from the esophagus and is further broken down before its nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. It produces acid and various enzymes that break down food into simple substances. The inside wall of the stomach is protected from the acid and enzymes by a mucous lining. Ulcers are caused when there is an imbalance between the digestive juices produced by the stomach and the various factors that protect the lining of the stomach. Symptoms of ulcers may include bleeding. On rare occasions, an ulcer may completely erode the stomach wall. A major cause of stomach ulcers is the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Treatment regimens for ulcers caused this bacterium usually include medications to suppress the stomach acid as well as antibiotics to eradicate the infection.

Most ulcers occur in the first, inner surface, layer of the inner lining. A hole in the stomach or duodenum is called a perforation. This is a medical emergency.

The most common cause of ulcers is infection of the stomach by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). Most people with peptic ulcers have these bacteria living in their digestive tract. Yet, many people who have these bacteria in their stomach do not develop an ulcer.

The following factors raise your risk for peptic ulcers:

  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco
  • Being very ill, such as being on a breathing machine
  • Radiation treatments
  • Stress

A rare condition, called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, causes the stomach to produce too much acid, leading to stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Symptoms

Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms and may heal without treatment. Some ulcers can cause serious bleeding.

Abdominal pain (often in the upper mid-abdomen) is a common symptom. The pain can differ from person to person. Some people have no pain.

Pain occurs:

  • In the upper abdomen
  • At night and wakes you up
  • When you feel an empty stomach, often 1 to 3 hours after a meal

Other symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

To detect an ulcer, you may need a test called an upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD).

  • This is a test to check the lining of the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
  • It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat.
  • This test most often requires sedation given through a vein.
  • In some cases, a smaller endoscope may be used that is passed into the stomach through the nose. This does not require sedation.

EGD is done on most people when peptic ulcers are suspected or when you have:

  • Low blood count (anemia)
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Bloody vomit
  • Bloody or dark and tarry-looking stools
  • Lost weight without trying
  • Other findings that raise a concern for cancer in the stomach

Testing for H pylori is also needed. This may be done by biopsy of the stomach during endoscopy, with a stool test, or by a urea breath test.

Other tests you may have include:

Sometimes, you may need a test called an upper GI series. A series of x-rays are taken after you drink a thick substance that contains barium. This does not require sedation.

Treatment

Your health care provider will recommend medicines to heal your ulcer and prevent a relapse. The medicines will:

  • Kill the H pylori bacteria, if present.
  • Reduce acid levels in the stomach. These include H2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), rabeprazole (AcipHex) or pantoprazole (Protonix).

Take all of your medicines as you have been told. Other changes in your lifestyle can also help.

If you have a peptic ulcer with an H pylori infection, the standard treatment uses different combinations of the following medicines for 7 to 14 days:

  • Two different antibiotics to kill H pylori.
  • PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or esomeprazole (Nexium).
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (the main ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) may be added to help kill the bacteria.

You will likely need to take a PPI for 8 weeks if:

  • You have an ulcer without an H pylori infection.
  • Your ulcer is caused by taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

Your provider may also prescribe this type of medicine regularly if you continue taking aspirin or NSAIDs for other health conditions.

Other medicines used for ulcers are:

  • Misoprostol, a medicine that may help prevent ulcers in people who take NSAIDs on a regular basis
  • Medicines that protect the tissue lining, such as sucralfate

If a peptic ulcer bleeds a lot, an EGD may be needed to stop the bleeding. Methods used to stop the bleeding include:

  • Injecting medicine in the ulcer
  • Applying metal clips or heat therapy to the ulcer

Surgery may be needed if:

  • Bleeding cannot be stopped with an EGD
  • The ulcer has caused a tear in the stomach or duodenum

Outlook (Prognosis)

Peptic ulcers tend to come back if untreated. There is a good chance that the H pylori infection will be cured if you take your medicines and follow your provider's advice. You will be much less likely to get another ulcer.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

  • Severe blood loss
  • Scarring from an ulcer that may make it harder for the stomach to empty
  • Perforation or hole of the stomach and intestines

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Get medical help right away if you:

  • Develop sudden, sharp abdominal pain
  • Have a rigid, hard abdomen that is tender to touch
  • Have symptoms of shock, such as fainting, excessive sweating, or confusion
  • Vomit blood or have blood in your stool (especially if it is maroon or dark, tarry black)

Contact your provider if:

  • You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
  • You have ulcer symptoms.

Prevention

Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Try acetaminophen instead. If you must take such medicines, talk to your provider first. Your provider may:

  • Test you for H pylori before you take these medicines
  • Ask you to take PPIs or an H2 acid blocker
  • Prescribe a medicine called misoprostol

The following lifestyle changes may help prevent peptic ulcers:

  • DO NOT smoke or chew tobacco.
  • Avoid alcohol.
Review Date: 5/2/2023

Reviewed By

Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Chan FKL, Lau JYW. Peptic ulcer disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.

Cover TL, Blaser MJ. Helicobacter pylori and other gastric Helicobacter species. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 217.

Lanas A, Chan FKL. Peptic ulcer disease. Lancet. 2017;390(10094):613-624. PMID: 28242110 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28242110/.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Stomach ulcer - Animation

Food enters the stomach from the esophagus. There, it's broken down by the acid and various enzymes the stomach produces so its nutrients can be absorbed in the small intestine. The inside wall of the stomach is protected from the acid and enzymes by a mucous lining.

Ulcers come about as a result of an imbalance between the stomach's digestive juices and the factors that protect its lining.

Symptoms can include bleeding. And on rare occasions, an ulcer may completely erode the stomach wall.

The bacteria Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of ulcers. Treatment typically includes medications to suppress the stomach acid and antibiotics to eradicate the infection.

 

Peptic ulcer - Animation

If you've got stomach pain and nausea, any number of gastrointestinal problems could be to blame. When these symptoms don't go away, one possibility is that you have a peptic ulcer. Let's talk about peptic ulcers.

A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum. When the defect is in your stomach, it's called a gastric ulcer. A defect in your duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer.

Your stomach is filled with strong acid, which breaks down and digests the foods you eat. If you've ever seen a strong acid at work, you know that it starts to burn away anything it touches. That's why your stomach and intestines are equipped with a special lining to protect them. But if that lining breaks down for any reason, acids can start eating their way through. When acids burn a hole all the way through the stomach or duodenum, it's called a perforation, and that's a medical emergency.

You may joke that your boss is giving you an ulcer, and it's possible that stress does play some part in ulcers. More likely, your ulcer is caused by a stomach infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori. Other common ulcer risks include smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, or regularly using NSAID pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen.

If the ulcer is small, you may have no idea that you have it because there are no symptoms. Larger ulcers can cause abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and nausea.

If you have any of these ongoing symptoms, your doctor will look inside your GI tract to see what's going on. One way to do this is with an upper endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera on one end that takes pictures as it moves through your stomach and small intestine. A lower GI is a series of x-rays that are taken after you drink a radioactive substance called barium. Your doctor will also test you for the H. pylori bacteria that may be causing your ulcer.

Treatment for peptic ulcers works in two ways. If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll have a medication regimen to kill the bacteria. You'll also get a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor, such as Prilosec or Prevacid, which reduces the amount of acid in your stomach.

Try to avoid taking NSAID pain relievers for long periods of time, especially if you have a problem with H. pylori. Use Tylenol instead. If you do have to take NSAIDs, also take an acid-blocking drug to protect your sensitive stomach. Also avoid tobacco smile and excess alcohol.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for treating a peptic ulcer. If you don't follow your treatment as directed, your ulcer could come back. Call your doctor right away if you have sharp stomach pain, you're sweating a lot or feeling confused, or your stomach feels hard to the touch. These could be signs of a serious ulcer complication that needs immediate medical help.

 

Stomach ulcer - Animation

Food enters the stomach from the esophagus. There, it's broken down by the acid and various enzymes the stomach produces so its nutrients can be absorbed in the small intestine. The inside wall of the stomach is protected from the acid and enzymes by a mucous lining.

Ulcers come about as a result of an imbalance between the stomach's digestive juices and the factors that protect its lining.

Symptoms can include bleeding. And on rare occasions, an ulcer may completely erode the stomach wall.

The bacteria Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of ulcers. Treatment typically includes medications to suppress the stomach acid and antibiotics to eradicate the infection.

 

Peptic ulcer - Animation

If you've got stomach pain and nausea, any number of gastrointestinal problems could be to blame. When these symptoms don't go away, one possibility is that you have a peptic ulcer. Let's talk about peptic ulcers.

A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum. When the defect is in your stomach, it's called a gastric ulcer. A defect in your duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer.

Your stomach is filled with strong acid, which breaks down and digests the foods you eat. If you've ever seen a strong acid at work, you know that it starts to burn away anything it touches. That's why your stomach and intestines are equipped with a special lining to protect them. But if that lining breaks down for any reason, acids can start eating their way through. When acids burn a hole all the way through the stomach or duodenum, it's called a perforation, and that's a medical emergency.

You may joke that your boss is giving you an ulcer, and it's possible that stress does play some part in ulcers. More likely, your ulcer is caused by a stomach infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori. Other common ulcer risks include smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, or regularly using NSAID pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen.

If the ulcer is small, you may have no idea that you have it because there are no symptoms. Larger ulcers can cause abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and nausea.

If you have any of these ongoing symptoms, your doctor will look inside your GI tract to see what's going on. One way to do this is with an upper endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera on one end that takes pictures as it moves through your stomach and small intestine. A lower GI is a series of x-rays that are taken after you drink a radioactive substance called barium. Your doctor will also test you for the H. pylori bacteria that may be causing your ulcer.

Treatment for peptic ulcers works in two ways. If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll have a medication regimen to kill the bacteria. You'll also get a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor, such as Prilosec or Prevacid, which reduces the amount of acid in your stomach.

Try to avoid taking NSAID pain relievers for long periods of time, especially if you have a problem with H. pylori. Use Tylenol instead. If you do have to take NSAIDs, also take an acid-blocking drug to protect your sensitive stomach. Also avoid tobacco smile and excess alcohol.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for treating a peptic ulcer. If you don't follow your treatment as directed, your ulcer could come back. Call your doctor right away if you have sharp stomach pain, you're sweating a lot or feeling confused, or your stomach feels hard to the touch. These could be signs of a serious ulcer complication that needs immediate medical help.

 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
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