Gastroduodenal Ulcer Quiz
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Pain in the middle of the upper stomach
Gastric discomfort
Heartburn
Localized abdominal pain
Abdominal discomfort
Black poop
There is a feeling that the stomach is burning
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Gastroduodenal Ulcer?
Ulcers are sores that can develop in the stomach and small intestines. In severe cases, the ulcers can be deep and cause bleeding within the gut wall. Common causes include the bacteria H. pylori, and painkillers such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Advil, Aleve (NSAIDs).
Typical Symptoms of Gastroduodenal Ulcer
- Black, shiny stool
- Stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Heartburn with discomfort in the upper stomach area
- Constipation with urge to go but unable to pass stool
- Stomach or abdominal pain with the abdomen becoming hard when gently pressed
- Stomach or abdominal pain that worsens after meals
- Heartburn with burning sensation in upper abdomen or hunger-like pain
Diagnostic Questions for Gastroduodenal Ulcer
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you had black, shiny stools?
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area?
- Do you feel pain in your upper abdomen?
- Do you have heartburn with discomfort in your upper stomach area?
- Do you have constipation where you feel the urge to go but can't pass stool?
Treatment of Gastroduodenal Ulcer
The doctor may prescribe drugs to reduce gastric acid levels, and/or antibiotics to kill the H. pylori bacteria, if present. In severe cases, a endoscope (flexible tube with a camera and light at the end) may be need to be inserted through the mouth to stop an ulcer from bleeding.
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Dec 5, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Abdominal pain
- Tarry stools
- Black shiny stool
- Coal black stool
- Poop was really dark
- Poop is like coffee grounds
- Throwing up blood
- Black tarry stool
- Black shiny poop
- Black stool and throwing up
See full list
Symptoms Related to Gastroduodenal Ulcer
Diseases Related to Gastroduodenal Ulcer
FAQs
Q.
Upper Gut Pain? Why Your Duodenum Is Inflamed and Your Medical Next Steps
A.
Upper middle abdominal burning or gnawing pain that changes with meals is often duodenitis, inflammation of the first part of the small intestine, most commonly from H. pylori infection or frequent NSAID use, with contributors like excess acid, smoking, alcohol, and severe illness. Next steps include reviewing and limiting NSAIDs, testing and treating for H. pylori, using acid suppressants, and seeing a clinician, with urgent care for black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, sudden severe pain, or fainting; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your plan are outlined below.
References:
* Shah N, Dhaliwal A, Bulsara M. Duodenitis: an underdiagnosed and undertreated cause of dyspepsia? J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jul;32(7):1314-1319. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13735. PMID: 27995642.
* Hooi JKY, Lai WY, Ng WK, Suen MMY, Underwood JFE, Tanyingoh D, Chen G, Xie C, Choo V, Lee ZQ, Ng KY, Bunjamin P, Madsen L, de Sa E, Hilmarsen HT, Qureshi F, Salgado R, Rojas-Sauco E, Duggan S, Daneshmand M, Murray L, Ho P, Hartland CD, Kong S, Kuipers EJ, Lambert JR, Goh KL, Moran AP, Hsu PI, Sung JJY, Zeijlemaker W. Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastroduodenal Diseases. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jan;14(1):3-17. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2016.138. PMID: 27558067.
* Caio I, Zlatarich V, Furlan N, De Leo R, D'Amico S, Di Marco R, Corazza GR, Zoli A. Celiac Disease. J Clin Med. 2023 Jul 13;12(14):4687. doi: 10.3390/jcm12144687. PMID: 37510705.
* Valdovinos H, Higuera-de-la-Tijera F, Pérez-Torres E, Herrera-Gómez A, Ramírez-Muñoz MP, Soto-Escalante AA, Ramos-Gómez M, Ramos-Gómez J, Villanueva-Herrera K. Endoscopic Biopsy of the Duodenum: An Update for the Clinician. World J Gastroenterol. 2023 Mar 14;29(10):1551-1563. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i10.1551. PMID: 36923481.
* Tack J, Camilleri M. Diagnosis and Management of Dyspepsia. N Engl J Med. 2023 Apr 6;388(14):1314-1323. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp2204689. PMID: 37018320.
Q.
Constant Burning? Why Your Stomach Is Ulcerating & Medical Next Steps
A.
Persistent upper abdominal burning that worsens on an empty stomach often points to a stomach ulcer, most commonly from H. pylori infection or regular NSAID use, and it needs prompt evaluation and targeted treatment to prevent serious complications like bleeding or perforation. There are several factors to consider; see below for key symptoms and red flags, the tests doctors use, which medications help and how long healing takes, and lifestyle changes that can guide your next steps.
References:
* Lanas A, Scheiman JM. Peptic Ulcer Disease. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jul 22;385(4):341-352. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp2032243. PMID: 34289270.
* Malfertheiner P, Megraud F, Rokkas T, Gisbert JP, Liou JM, Schulz C, Arevalo J, Kim SG, Hunt RH, Sung JJY, El-Omar EM, O'Connor A, Fock K, Sugano K, Wang JD, Wu CY. Management of Helicobacter pylori infection: the Maastricht VI/Florence Consensus Report. Gut. 2022 Oct;71(10):1999-2022. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327392. PMID: 35850912.
* Scarpignato C. NSAID-Induced Peptic Ulcer Disease. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2023 Sep;21(3):364-386. doi: 10.1007/s11938-023-00465-9. Epub 2023 Jul 21. PMID: 37478083.
* Chung CL, Chang CC, Su HC. Management of Peptic Ulcer Disease and Its Complications: A Clinical Practice Update. J Formos Med Assoc. 2023 Aug;122(8):666-675. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2023.04.017. Epub 2023 Apr 29. PMID: 37121971.
* Sung JJ, Chan FKL. Peptic Ulcer Disease. Lancet. 2017 Jul 8;390(10091):249-261. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32030-0. Epub 2017 Jan 20. PMID: 28118900.
Q.
Is It an Ulcer? Why Your Stomach Is Burning & Vital Medical Next Steps
A.
Stomach burning can be a peptic ulcer, most often from H. pylori infection or frequent NSAID use; classic signs are gnawing upper-abdominal pain that changes with meals, though reflux, gastritis, gallbladder issues, or pancreatitis can feel similar. Key next steps include seeing a clinician for H. pylori testing and possible endoscopy, using acid-reducing medication and antibiotics if indicated, and getting urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe pain; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for details that could change your next steps.
References:
* Lau JY, Leung WK, Wu JC, Sung JJ. Peptic ulcer disease. Lancet. 2021 Jul 3;398(10294):40-52.
* Moayyedi P, Lacy BE, Andrews CN, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017 Jul;112(7):991-1002.
* Malfertheiner P, Megraud F, Rokkas T, et al. Management of Helicobacter pylori infection: the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report. Gut. 2017 Jan;66(1):6-30.
* Chait MM, Maity C, Sen T, et al. NSAID-induced Gastropathy: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2023 Apr 28;11(2):373-380.
* Ford AC, Mahadeva S, Talley NJ. Functional Dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2017 Jul;153(1):9-27.
Q.
What illnesses could cause pain above the belly button when pressed?
A.
Pain above the belly button when pressed can be caused by various illnesses and conditions. Understanding these potential causes is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
Munisamy R, Uppalu H, Raghavendra R, Venkata NP, Harshita S, Janarthanam SV. Type-I complex regional pain syndrome of umbilical port site: An unforeseen complication of laparoscopic surgery. J Minim Access Surg. 2012 Apr;8(2):50-3. doi: 10.4103/0972-9941.95535. PMID: 22623826; PMCID: PMC3353613.
Patterson JW, Kashyap S, Dominique E. Acute Abdomen. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459328/
Applegate WV. Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES): A Commonly Overlooked Cause of Abdominal Pain. Perm J. 2002 Summer;6(3):20–7. PMCID: PMC6220638.
Q.
What illnesses could cause upper stomach pain and nausea?
A.
Upper stomach pain accompanied by nausea can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and other medical conditions. Common causes include gastritis, peptic ulcers, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis. Understanding these potential causes is important for seeking appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
References:
Murali N, El Hayek SM. Abdominal Pain Mimics. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2021 Nov;39(4):839-850. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2021.07.003. Epub 2021 Sep 10. PMID: 34600641; PMCID: PMC8430370.
Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P. A Primary Care Approach to Abdominal Pain in Adults. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2021 Mar 10;63(1):e1-e5. doi: 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280. PMID: 33764143; PMCID: PMC8378095.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Bommelaer G, Stef A. Ulcère gastroduodénal: avant et après Helicobacter pylori [Gastroduodenal ulcer before and after Helicobacter pylori]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2009 Aug-Sep;33(8-9):626-34. French. doi: 10.1016/j.gcb.2009.07.004. Epub 2009 Aug 13. PMID: 19682812.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0399832009002449?via%3DihubSovtsov SA. [Management of perforative gastroduodenal ulcer]. Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2015;(11):41-45. Russian. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia20151141-45. PMID: 26978622.
https://www.mediasphera.ru/issues/khirurgiya-zhurnal-im-n-i-pirogova/2015/11/downloads/ru/440023-12072015115Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354223