Peptic stomach ulcers are painful sores on the lining of the stomach or on the first part of the small intestine. The cause of peptic ulcers is unknown. However, through research, it has been found that digestive fluids may not be balanced between the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. It is also thought that ulcers may form due to an infection, painkillers, or excess acid production. People may not know that they have an ulcer since symptoms are not always present. When symptoms are present, they may include:
- Burning or gnawing pain in the stomach at night or in between meals
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Vomiting and nausea
- Weight loss
- Dark or black stool
- Severe pain
- Vomiting blood
Stomach ulcers can heal on their own, however, when warning signs are present they should not be ignored. An untreated stomach ulcer can lead to severe health problems. Some of these problems include bleeding, perforation, and gastric outlet obstruction. Usually, doctors can diagnose you with an ulcer just by hearing your symptoms. It is important to get ulcers properly treated so serious health complications do not occur.