Stomach Ulcer | Peptic Ulcer | MedlinePlus [NEW TOPIC PAGE]

Stomach Ulcer | Peptic Ulcer | MedlinePlus

Definition and Facts for Peptic Ulcer Disease

08/23/2016 08:44 AM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Peptic Ulcer

Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease

08/23/2016 08:44 AM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Peptic Ulcer

Treatment for Peptic Ulcer Disease

08/23/2016 08:44 AM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Peptic Ulcer

Symptoms and Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease

08/23/2016 08:44 AM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Peptic Ulcer

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Bloody or tarry stools
• Culture - duodenal tissue
• Gastric tissue biopsy and culture
• Gastrin blood test
• Peptic ulcer
• Stomach acid test
• Stomach ulcer
• Tests for H. pylori
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Related Health Topics

• Helicobacter Pylori Infections
• Stomach Disorders

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Peptic Ulcer is theNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Languages

• Chinese - Simplified (简体中文)
• Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文)
• Spanish (español)

Disclaimers

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Summary

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or your duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. The pain

• Starts between meals or during the night
• Briefly stops if you eat or take antacids
• Lasts for minutes to hours
• Comes and goes for several days or weeks

Peptic ulcers happen when the acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum. The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Another cause is the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but can make them worse.

To see if you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will test your blood, breath, or stool. Your doctor also may look inside your stomach and duodenum by doing an endoscopy or x-ray.

Peptic ulcers will get worse if not treated. Treatment may include medicines to reduce stomach acids or antibiotics to kill H. pylori. Antacids and milk can't heal peptic ulcers. Not smoking and avoiding alcohol can help. You may need surgery if your ulcers don't heal.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

•  Definition and Facts for Peptic Ulcer Disease  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Peptic Ulcer Disease (American College of Gastroenterology)
• Ulcers (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish

Symptoms

• MedlinePlus: Gastrointestinal Bleeding  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
•  Symptoms and Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Diagnosis and Tests

•  Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Fecal Occult Blood Test and Fecal Immunochemical Test (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
• Helicobacter pylori Test (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
• Upper GI Endoscopy  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)Also in Spanish
• Upper GI Series  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

•  Treatment for Peptic Ulcer Disease  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Related Issues

• Helicobacter pylori and Cancer  (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Videos and Tutorials

• Stomach ulcer  - EncyclopediaAlso in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Duodenal Ulcer  (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Peptic Ulcer  (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Stomach Ulcer  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Helicobacter pylori: a pathogenic threat to the gastric mucosal barrier.
• Article: Esophagitis in Adolescents.
• Article: CLINICAL PRACTICE. Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to a Peptic Ulcer.
• Peptic Ulcer -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American College of Gastroenterology 
• Find a Gastroenterologist (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

Children

• Peptic Ulcers (Nemours Foundation)
• Ugh! Ulcers (Nemours Foundation)

Teenagers

• Ulcers (Nemours Foundation)

Patient Handouts

• Culture - duodenal tissue Also in Spanish
• Peptic ulcer Also in Spanish
• Stomach acid test Also in Spanish
• Tests for H. pylori Also in Spanish
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Also in Spanish