Peptic ulcer

Alternative Names

Symptoms

Abdominal pain  is a common symptom but it may not always be present. The abdominal pain from peptic ulcers can differ a lot from person to person. For example, the pain may get better or worse after eating a meal.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Heartburn, indigestion, belching
• Chest pain
• Vomiting blood
• Bloody or dark tarry stools

It is important to note that you may have no symptoms at all from an ulcer.

Exams and Tests

To diagnose an ulcer, your doctor will order one of the following tests:

• An upper GI -- a series of x-rays taken after you drink a substance called barium.
• An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) -- a special test performed by a gastroenterologist in which a thin tube is inserted through your mouth into the gastrointestinal tract to look at your stomach and small intestines.

During an EGD, the doctor may take a biopsy from the wall of the intestines to test for H. pylori.

Your doctor may also order:

• Stool guaiac cards to test for blood in your stool
• Hemoglobin test to check for anemia

References

Spechler, SJ. Peptic Ulcers. In: Feldman, M, Friedman, LS, Sleisenger, MH, eds. Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA; WB Saunders Company; 2002:747-772.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001:910-918.

Mahachai V, Thomson AB, Vilaichone RK. Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAIDs on the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding. J Med Assoc Thai. 2004 Sep;87 Suppl 2:S295-9. Review.