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Peptic ulcers (stomach and duodenal ulcers): the signs, the causes, and treatment
For adults with a burning or dull pain between the belly button and the breastbone, an ulcer or H. pylori a doctor has already found, or who take aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen often. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK, part of the NIH) says a peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum, that the two most common causes are an infection called H. pylori and pain medicines called NSAIDs, and that most ulcers heal with treatment. This page passes on, by name, what NIDDK says: the common signs and the ones that cannot wait, the causes and who gets ulcers more, NSAIDs and ulcers, the tests, and treatment, food and smoking. It builds the words to say to a clinic or a pharmacist, and prints a card for your pain and your medicines.
Right now
- Vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black or bloody stool, sudden severe belly pain that doesn’t go away, fainting, or a racing pulse: call 911 or go to an emergency room now (ours).
- Chest pain, or upper belly pain with trouble breathing, sweating or fainting: call 911. It could be the heart (ours).
- Your ulcer symptoms have changed or are getting worse? NIDDK says call or see your doctor right away.
More help
- Other belly troubles: An upset stomach: find the right page · Heartburn and acid reflux · Gallstones · Food poisoning and stomach bugs · Constipation in adults.
- What can be part of it: Heart attack: the signs · Quit smoking · Hepatitis · COPD.
- Care and costs: When you need a doctor and can’t pay · Medical bills · My medicines list · Symptom diary · Get ready for your appointment.
- In a crisis: Help right now (988, 911). All our free tools.
An upset stomach, and not sure this is the right page? The pages on this site for throwing up, diarrhea, heartburn and constipation, on one list.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). No doctor, nurse or pharmacist has reviewed it. The facts were read on October 15, 2026 on NIDDK’s Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers) pages (NIH): the overview, Definition & Facts, Symptoms & Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Eating, Diet, & Nutrition (last reviewed September 2022). Ours: calling 911 or going to an emergency room for vomiting blood, black or bloody stool, sudden severe belly pain, fainting or a racing pulse; calling 911 for chest pain; calling a clinic the same day when symptoms change or get worse; not stopping or changing an aspirin, NSAID, antidepressant or steroid a doctor prescribed without asking that doctor; asking a pharmacist whether a medicine has an NSAID in it and what is safer for pain; asking about a lower-cost option rather than skipping doses; telling the doctor which antibiotics you have taken; and the order of the steps. What we left out: brand names, the names of single medicines within each kind (ask a pharmacist), doses, and clinical pages for providers. This page saves nothing and loads no trackers.