Peptic ulcers are sores in the inner lining of the stomach or upper small intestine. They form when the digestive juices produced by the stomach erode or eat away the lining of the digestive tract. Peptic ulcers may form in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or just below the stomach, at the start of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers).
The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include a burning, aching, or gnawing pain between the belly button and the breastbone, and belly pain that is temporarily relieved by taking an antacid. Symptoms can also include back pain, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Some people have no symptoms.
How are they diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Your doctor may do some simple tests (using your blood, breath, or stool) to look for signs of H. pylori infection. You may have an endoscopy to check the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
How are peptic ulcers treated?
To treat peptic ulcers, most people take medicines that reduce acid in the stomach. If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll also take antibiotics. You can help your ulcer heal by quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol. Using medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may increase the chance of your ulcer returning.
Clinical Review Board All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
We use cookies and other tools to analyze usage of our website and to help improve it. Some of these cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Other cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure the performance of our site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the website will not work as a result. For cookies that are not necessary, you can grant your consent(s) to use your data for specific purposes below or by clicking "Agree to all."
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by NYP or third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. As a result, certain portions of your device information and browsing history may be stored and used. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly and your information may not be stored.
Conversion tracking
We will store data about when you see and/or click on an advertisement and it brings you to our website so we can understand the performance of our advertising and marketing campaigns.
Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by NYP or its advertising partners. They may be used by NYP or NYP’s advertising partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites. They may or may not directly store personal information, and are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, your information will not be shared or used for targeted advertising.
