Symptoms and causes
The classic symptom is a burning or gnawing pain in the upper belly. Stomach ulcers often hurt after eating, while duodenal ulcers tend to hurt on an empty stomach or at night and ease with food, though patterns vary. Barry Marshall and Robin Warren won the 2005 Nobel Prize for showing H. pylori causes ulcers; NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen are the other big cause. Stress and spicy food aren't primary causes.
Treatment and emergency signs
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce acid so the ulcer can heal, and if H. pylori is present, eradication therapy sharply cuts recurrence. Vomiting blood, black, tarry stools, or sudden severe abdominal pain can mean bleeding or perforation: go to the ER. Stomach ulcers are sometimes re-scoped to rule out cancer.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Does milk soothe an ulcer?
- It may feel good briefly but can stimulate acid, so it isn't recommended.
- Can I take pain relievers with an ulcer?
- Acetaminophen is generally safer; if you need an NSAID, ask your doctor about stomach protection.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Lanas, A., & Chan, F. K. L. (2017). Peptic ulcer disease. The Lancet, 390(10094), 613–624.
- Chey, W. D., et al. (2024). ACG clinical guideline: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 119(9), 1730–1753.
- Marshall, B. J., & Warren, J. R. (1984). Unidentified curved bacilli in the stomach of patients with gastritis and peptic ulceration. The Lancet, 323(8390), 1311–1315.