Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

What Are The Signs Of A Peptic Ulcer?

Peptic ulcer symptoms Small peptic ulcers may not cause any symptoms at all. But if peptic ulcer symptoms begin to appear, the first is burning abdominal pain. The intensity of such pain may vary from moment to moment, and from one individual to another. This burning pain occurs because not only by the ulcer itself, but by stomach acid that comes in contact with the raw tissue of the ulcer. 

You'll experience this pain in the area from the navel up to the sternum or breastbone. Sometimes it will hurt more when your stomach is empty. Symptoms may decrease if you eat certain foods that buffer the acid in your stomach, or if you take a medication that lowers stomach acid.

Peptic ulcer symptoms often flare up at night. Sometimes, they disappear for a while, and then return for days or even weeks.

Other peptic ulcer symptoms include a feeling of fullness in the stomach area, and a lack of desire to drink as much fluid as normal. Another typical symptom of peptic ulcer is an irregular appetite. You may get hungry often - even after you've just eaten.  At other times, however, you may notice less of an appetite than usual. You are likely to lose weight for no apparent reason.

Fatigue, mild nausea and occasional chest discomfort are all symptoms of peptic ulcer.

Some signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer can be extremely serious, and if you notice any of the following, see a doctor as soon as possible.

• bloody or dark tarry stools
• a rigid, painful abdomen that feels tender to the touch
• signs of blood during vomiting

Diagnosing peptic ulcer symptoms There are several diagnostic tests your doctor may want to run if you have signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer.

One is a simple blood test to find out if the Helicobacter pylori bacteria is present in your gastrointestinal tract. This bacteria, known as H. pylori, is one of the causes of peptic ulcers. There are several methods to test for H. pylori: a blood test, a stool test or a breath test. 

Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy. This procedure is performed by passes a hollow tube equipped with a lens down your esophagus, then into the stomach and small intestine.

The third common test is X-ray of your upper digestive system called a barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series. You drink a white liquid containing barium which allows the ulcer to be seen more easily in X-ray images.

Once signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer have been diagnosed and confirmed, your doctor will recommend a course of treatment. For more information, click on peptic ulcer treatments.

Also see our articles on gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and bleeding ulcers.