Peptic Ulcer Disease

As stomach ulcers are always preceded by gastritis (or an inflammation of the stomach lining), both conditions are included in this article.

Emergency Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away:

• sharp, sudden, persistent stomach pain
• bloody or black stools
• bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

What are the symptoms of an ulcer?

Many of the symptoms of an ulcer are also symptoms of gastritis (the inflammation of the stomach wall or gastritis, always precedes an ulcer). Abdominal discomfort is the most common symptom. This discomfort usually

• is a dull, gnawing ache
• comes and goes for several days or weeks
• occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal