Pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom, though many people do not experience any symptoms at all.
Common Symptoms
Pain is the most commonsymptom of a peptic ulcer.
Your pain may be dull, burning, or gnawing.
Anna Bizon / Getty Images
It is less commonly described as intense or stabbing.
Often, the pain is worse at night or in the morning, but it can vary.
You may experience relief immediately after eating only to have pain return or worsen within an hour.
Risk Factors for Peptic Ulcers
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, are a risk factor.
It’s important to see your healthcare provider to determine what’s at the root of your pain.
These include:
Peptic ulcer symptoms may be due toH.
Despite common misconceptions, one lifestyle factor thatdoes notcause ulcers is stress.
Healthcare providers used to attribute ulcers to stress until the link toH.
If you have persistent symptoms for longer than a week, it is best to see your healthcare provider.
They will determine whether you need prescription medications and whether you have complications, such as bleeding or anemia.
Be sure to see your healthcare provider when you notice the symptoms.
While such an ulcer can take time to heal, the discovery ofH.
pylorias a cause makes it curable rather than something you must simply learn to live with.
Pain may last for minutes or hours at a time.
Symptoms will keep coming back until you get treatment for the ulcer.
Many cases of peptic ulcer are due toH.
pyloriinfection, which is treated with an antibiotic.Drugs known as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors limit stomach acids.
In some cases, surgery may be needed.
Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E.Peptic ulcer disease andHelicobacter pyloriinfection.Mo Med.
Harvard Health Publishing.Peptic ulcer.
