What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers in the stomach?
According to Dr. Khan, the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the upper middle abdomen, between the breastbone and the belly button. Other symptoms include feeling full quickly, bloating, belching, nausea, heartburn and loss of appetite. Stomach ulcer pain often worsens with eating, while duodenal ulcer pain may improve with food and return a few hours later or at night.
Stomach ulcer vs duodenal ulcer pain
- Gastric (stomach) ulcerPain often starts soon after eating; may cause weight loss.
- Duodenal ulcerPain 2 to 3 hours after meals or at night, eased by food.
- Silent ulcerNo pain, first sign may be bleeding, especially with NSAIDs.
What causes peptic ulcers?
The two main causes are infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria and regular use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, including low-dose aspirin. Smoking, heavy alcohol use and severe illness raise the risk. Rare causes include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and some cancers. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers but can make symptoms worse.
| Cause or risk | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| H. pylori infection | Weakens the protective lining | Test and treat with antibiotics |
| NSAIDs and aspirin | Block protective prostaglandins | Stop or use with a PPI |
| Smoking | Slows healing, raises recurrence | Quit |
| Alcohol | Irritates the lining | Limit or avoid |
| Blood thinners or steroids with NSAIDs | Raises bleeding risk | Ask about protective medicine |
| Age over 60 | Higher risk of complications | Report symptoms early |
Emergency signs of an ulcer complication
- Black, tarry or bloody stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Sudden, severe stomach pain that does not ease
- A rigid, very tender belly
- Dizziness, fainting or a racing heart
How are peptic ulcers diagnosed?
Ulcers are diagnosed with an upper endoscopy (EGD), where a thin camera is passed through the mouth to look at the stomach and duodenum. Biopsies check for H. pylori and rule out cancer in stomach ulcers. H. pylori can also be tested with a breath or stool test. Endoscopy is recommended for people with warning signs, older adults with new symptoms, or symptoms that do not respond to treatment.
Have symptoms like these?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, sees adults at our Katy and Cypress offices, serving patients across Greater Houston.
How are peptic ulcers treated?
Most ulcers heal in 4 to 8 weeks with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that lowers stomach acid. If H. pylori is present, a 10- to 14-day combination of antibiotics and acid suppression clears the infection, followed by a test to confirm cure. NSAIDs should be stopped or protected with a PPI. Stomach ulcers usually need a repeat endoscopy to confirm healing.
Tip: Finish every dose of H. pylori treatment even if you feel better, and have the follow-up breath or stool test at least four weeks later. Incomplete treatment is a common reason ulcers return.
Can peptic ulcers come back?
Ulcers can return if H. pylori is not fully cleared, if NSAIDs are continued without protection, or if you keep smoking. Once the cause is treated, recurrence is uncommon. People who must take NSAIDs or aspirin long term may need ongoing acid-reducing medication.
When should you see a gastroenterologist?
See a gastroenterologist if upper abdominal pain lasts more than two weeks, keeps returning, wakes you at night, or comes with weight loss, vomiting or anemia. Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan diagnoses and treats peptic ulcers for patients from Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond and Greater Houston. Read about H. pylori testing and treatment, gastritis care and upper endoscopy.
Get answers instead of guessing
Request a visit with Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan at our Katy and Cypress offices. Call the office to check your insurance coverage; self-pay options are available.
Key takeaways
- Burning upper abdominal pain is the main symptom of peptic ulcers in the stomach.
- H. pylori and NSAIDs cause most ulcers; stress and spicy food do not.
- Upper endoscopy confirms the diagnosis and checks for complications.
- Most ulcers heal within 4 to 8 weeks of treatment.
- Black stools, vomiting blood or sudden severe pain need emergency care.
Frequently asked questions
What does ulcer pain feel like?
Usually a burning, gnawing or hunger-like ache in the upper middle abdomen that comes and goes over days or weeks.
Can an ulcer heal on its own?
Some small ulcers heal, but without treating H. pylori or stopping NSAIDs they often return and can bleed.
What foods should I avoid with an ulcer?
There is no strict ulcer diet. Avoid foods that worsen your symptoms, and limit alcohol and coffee while healing.
Is milk good for ulcers?
No. Milk may soothe briefly but then increases stomach acid.
Can ulcers cause back pain?
Yes. Ulcers on the back wall of the duodenum can cause pain that spreads to the back.
Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist in Katy or Cypress?
It depends on your insurance plan. Many PPO plans let you book a specialist directly, while some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. Call (346) 340-4414 and the team can help you check.
Sources
- NIDDK — Peptic ulcers
- NIDDK — Symptoms and causes of peptic ulcers
- MedlinePlus — Peptic ulcer
- MedlinePlus — H. pylori infections
- American College of Gastroenterology — Peptic ulcer disease
Where to be seen in Katy and Cypress
United Gastroenterology Associates has two offices: Katy, at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, next to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, and Cypress, at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, on US-290. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, and serve patients from Fulshear, Richmond and across Greater Houston. Call (346) 340-4414 for either office.
Katy office
23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555
Katy, TX 77494
Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza 1
Next steps
If you are dealing with symptoms of peptic ulcers or any ongoing digestive concern, a focused evaluation can find the cause and start the right treatment. Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan and the team at United Gastroenterology Associates see adults from Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond, Greater Houston and across Texas. Call (346) 340-4414 or request an appointment today.
If you have severe pain, vomit blood, pass black stools or have chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
