A peptic ulcer is a sensitive, raw patch, very much like a mouth ulcer, which forms a break in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach and duodenal ulcers occur in the duodenum, the first part of the intestine after the stomach.
Risk factors
- H pylori bacterial infection
- Painkillers such as NSAIDs
- Smoke. Smoking may increase the risk of peptic ulcers in people who are infected with H. pylori.
- Drink alcohol. Alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach, and it increases the amount of stomach acid that's produced.
- Have untreated stress.
- Eat spicy foods.
Symptoms:
The pain may occur anywhere from the belly button to the breastbone. It can be brief or may last for hours. It is more severe when the stomach is empty or right after eating (depending on where it is located). Sometimes it is worse during sleep. Eating certain foods may relieve it, and some foods may make it worse.
Other symptoms include:
- difficulty swallowing food
- food that is eaten comes back up
- feeling unwell after eating
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
When to see a doctor?
See your doctor if you have the severe signs or symptoms listed above. Also see your doctor if over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers relieve your pain but the pain returns
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354223
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9273#symptoms
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/peptic_ulcers/article_em.htm