Peptic Ulcer Clinical Symptoms

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 31, 2025
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Peptic ulcers are a common disease and often seen in clinical practice. They are typically manifested by discomfort in the upper abdomen, which may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and belching, and patients usually visit the gastroenterology department. The abdominal pain related to peptic ulcers, particularly the most typical and common symptoms, usually presents as pain above the navel, with chronic and recurrent attacks. It often relates to dietary habits, such as postprandial worsening in the case of gastric ulcers, whereas duodenal ulcers typically improve after eating and may involve hunger pain and night pain. Therefore, if patients exhibit these typical symptoms, it is recommended to perform a gastroscopy to ascertain the presence of duodenal or gastric ulcers. Complications can occur with peptic ulcers, with the most common being gastrointestinal bleeding, manifested by vomiting blood or bloody stools, with the latter appearing as tarry, watery stools. Thus, if patients present with typical symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and particularly bleeding or vomiting blood and bloody stools, peptic ulcers are the most likely cause. It is advised for patients to actively seek treatment at local hospitals and receive medication therapy.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What can people with peptic ulcers eat?

Peptic ulcers include duodenal bulb ulcers, gastric ulcers, complex ulcers, etc. In such cases, formal treatment should be administered first. Depending on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, different treatment plans should be adopted. At the same time, it is important to develop good dietary and living habits, quit smoking and drinking, and ensure that the diet is light and easy to digest. While ensuring adequate nutrition, efforts should be made to minimize gastric irritation. Foods like soft and mushy rice, porridge, and soft noodles are preferable. Fresh vegetables and fruits are fine. Try to avoid overly cold, greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. Be sure to eat regularly and in moderation or have small, frequent meals, and avoid binge eating.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Characteristics of pain in peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, and gastro-duodenal composite ulcers. The common characteristic of peptic ulcers is upper abdominal pain, which tends to be recurrent, periodic, and regular. For duodenal bulb ulcers, the pain is primarily located above and to the right of the navel, mainly manifesting as hunger pain in the upper abdomen, which can be alleviated after eating, accompanied by nocturnal pain. Sometimes, bulb ulcers can cause back pain. Gastric ulcers are mainly located above and to the left of the navel, primarily characterized by postprandial pain.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of peptic ulcers

Upper abdominal pain is a symptom common to peptic ulcers, including dull, mild, or bloating pain, which is generally tolerable and varies in characteristics. For instance, the pain from a gastric ulcer is usually located in the upper abdomen, predominantly on the upper left side, and sometimes extends to the lower abdomen. It typically occurs about half an hour to an hour after meals and gradually eases after two to three hours. For duodenal bulb ulcers, the pain is generally around two fingers to the right of the belly button. It often presents as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, accompanied by nighttime pain. If it is a post-bulbar ulcer, it often causes back pain. Complex ulcers may exhibit characteristics of both types. Additionally, ulcers are generally associated with excessive stomach acid, leading to symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, and abdominal bloating. If there is bleeding, it is often accompanied by black stools or even vomiting blood.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Can people with peptic ulcers eat meat?

Peptic ulcers generally require conventional medication treatment first. If accompanied by bleeding or severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary. It is important to pay attention to dietary and living habits in such cases. Initially, one should consume light and easily digestible foods, such as soft and mushy rice, porridge, and the like. Fresh vegetables and fruits are also suitable, but they should not be too cold or raw. At the same time, remember not to overeat or drink excessively; it is best to eat regular, measured meals or small frequent meals. As for meat, if it is during the acute phase of the ulcer or if there is bleeding, try to avoid meat consumption; if it is during the recovery phase of the ulcer, meat can be consumed in small amounts but should not be too spicy. (Specific medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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The main symptoms of peptic ulcers

Common types of peptic ulcers, including gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and anastomotic ulcers after gastric resection, share common characteristics and have their own distinct symptoms. Abdominal pain is a usual symptom. The pain from duodenal bulb ulcers tends to be dull, bloating, or blunt, and it is generally more noticeable when hungry. The pain often eases after eating as food neutralizes stomach acid. Sometimes, there is pain at night. If the ulcer is beyond the bulb or is a penetrating ulcer, it often comes with back pain; gastric ulcers primarily manifest as postprandial pain, meaning pain occurring half an hour to an hour after eating, which gradually alleviates; complex ulcers often present with both types of symptoms mentioned above. As peptic ulcers are often associated with excessive stomach acid, symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, and nausea are common.