Abdominal discomfort is the most common symptom of both duodenal and gastric ulcers. Felt anywhere between the navel and the breastbone, this discomfort usually:
- is a dull or burning pain
- occurs when the stomach is empty—between meals or during the night
- may be briefly relieved by eating food, in the case of duodenal ulcers, or by taking antacids, in both types of peptic ulcers
- lasts for minutes to hours
- comes and goes for several days or weeks
Other symptoms include:
- weight loss
- poor appetite
- bloating
- burping
- nausea
- vomiting
Some people experience only mild symptoms or none at all.
Emergency Symptoms
A person who has any of the following symptoms should call a doctor right away:
- sharp, sudden, persistent, and severe stomach pain
- bloody or black stools
- bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
These “alarm” symptoms could be signs of a serious problem, such as:
- bleeding—when acid or the peptic ulcer breaks a blood vessel
- perforation—when the peptic ulcer burrows completely through the stomach or duodenal wall
- obstruction—when the peptic ulcer blocks the path of food trying to leave the stomach