Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Home » Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) » Signs and Symptoms

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition
(Free Handout)

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of peptic ulcer disease is burning pain in the upper center of the abdomen (called epigastric pain). Pain often comes and goes, improves after eating, and worsens when the stomach is empty (about 2 or 3 hours after eating). Many patients experience severe pain during the middle of the night.

Other PUD symptoms include the following:

• Heartburn (acid reflux)
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Non-cardiac chest pain
• Weight loss

In patients who have peptic ulcer disease, stress, diet (e.g., spicy foods, foods that are high in fat), alcohol, and smoking can worsen symptoms.

Peptic ulcer disease can cause serious complications that require immediate treatment. These complications include the following:

• Perforation (formation of a hole in the GI tract)
• Obstruction (blockage) of the GI tract
• Severe GI bleeding

Perforation, which also is called ulceration, is caused by digestive acids that burn through the mucosa and the gastric or duodenal tissue beneath the mucosa. Perforation of the stomach or small intestine can cause peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), which often requires surgery and aggressive antibiotic therapy.

© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) Resources

	Join Our Peptic Ulcer Disease Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? Take this test. Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer