Updated: 06-05-2025
Peptic Ulcer – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.
Peptic ulcers are formed in the internal lining of the stomach, the duodenum, or also in the starting portion of the small intestine.
These ulcers are painful and occur when the protective lining of the mucus inside the stomach is reduced due to the negative effects of the digestive juices.
Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer
The symptoms of a peptic ulcer include:
- Burning or gnawing pain in the upper or middle stomach between meals or at bedtime
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Vomiting or nausea
Severe symptoms include
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Black or dark stool due to bleeding
- Excruciating pain in the upper or mid abdomen
What Causes Peptic Ulcers?
There is no single cause that leads to the formation of peptic ulcers.
However, health experts have now concluded that an imbalance between the digestive fluids, such as pepsin in a digestive enzyme and hydrochloric acid, can lead to an imbalance in the duodenum and the stomach, leading to the growth of ulcers.
Some other causes of peptic ulcers include:
- Infection caused due to Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium
- Regular use of NSAIDs such as naproxen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other prescribed drugs in the same genre
- Excess production of acid from Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Eating spicy foods can indeed increase the pain of ulcers, but they are not responsible for the growth of peptic ulcers.
Who is more likely to get ulcers?
The risk of peptic ulcers increases if you are:
- Above 50 years or more
- Excessive alcohol drinkers
- Smoke tobacco or cigarettes
- Have a family medical history of peptic ulcers
How is a peptic ulcer diagnosed?
The gastroenterologist may ask you to undergo several tests to check the presence of H. pylori infection, which can lead to a peptic ulcer.
These tests include stool, blood, or simple breath tests.
Other tests include an X-ray or an upper-GI series in which you will be asked to ingest contrast liquid such as barium.
In severe cases, the doctor may also recommend an endoscopy for accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Peptic Ulcers
In case you are diagnosed with the bacterial infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics along with medications to reduce the acid level in your abdomen.
More often, antibiotics and the acid-blocking medicines are enough to cure the symptoms of peptic ulcers, which are carried on for two weeks.
For complete relief from peptic ulcer, the patient must take the complete dose of medication.
The patient must avoid the use of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages during the treatment and even after being cured to eliminate their recurrence.
Preventing Peptic Ulcers
Until now, no definite source of this infection has been found, and hence, there can be no certain preventive recommendation.
Even then, you can protect yourself from the pain of peptic ulcers by washing your hands thoroughly, drinking clean and safe water, and eating clean and hygienic food.
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