Ulcers are sores on the lining of your digestive tract. Your digestive tract consists of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum (the first part of the intestines) and intestines. Most ulcers are located in the duodenum. These ulcers are called duodenal ulcers. Ulcers located in the stomach are called gastric ulcers. Ulcers in the esophagus are called esophageal ulcers.

A type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes many ulcers. Acid and other juices made by the stomach can contribute to ulcers by burning the lining of your digestive tract. This can happen if your body makes too much acid or if the lining of your digestive tract is damaged in some way. Physical or emotional stress may not necessarily cause an ulcer, but it can aggravate an ulcer if you have one.

Ulcers can also be caused by anti-inflammatory medicines. Although most people take these medicines without problems, long-term use may damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ketoprofen (brand names: Actron, Orudis KT) and some prescription drugs for arthritis.

How can my doctor tell if I have an ulcer?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may start you on some medicine before doing tests. This is because ulcers usually feel better within a week or so of treatment. You may not need tests if you’re getting better.

If you don’t get better, your doctor may do an endoscopy or a special x-ray to study your digestive tract. During an endoscopy, your doctor looks into your stomach through a thin tube. He or she may take a biopsy (a sample of the stomach lining) to test for H. pylori. Blood and breath tests can also be used to test for H. pylori.

Possible signs of an ulcer

• Feel better when you eat or drink and then worse 1 or 2 hours later (duodenal ulcer)
• Feel worse when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
• Stomach pain that wakes you up at night
• Feel full fast
• Heavy feeling, bloating, burning or dull pain in your stomach
• Vomiting
• Unexpected weight loss

Are ulcers serious?

Not usually. Ulcers sometimes can lead to other problems. These problems include bleeding, perforation (the ulcer eats through the wall of the digestive tract) or obstruction (the digestive tract is blocked and food can’t leave the stomach). Get help right away if you have any of the warning signs below.

Warning signs that your ulcer is getting worse

• You vomit blood.
• You vomit food eaten hours or days before.
• You feel cold or clammy.
• You feel unusually weak or dizzy.
• You have blood in your stools (blood may make your stools look black or like tar).
• You have ongoing nausea or repeated vomiting.
• You have sudden, severe pain.
• You keep losing weight.
• Your pain doesn’t go away when you take your medicine.
• Your pain reaches to your back.