Topic Overview
There are two different types of
peptic ulcers. They are:
- Gastric ulcers, which form in the lining of the
stomach.
- Duodenal ulcers, which form in the upper small
intestine.
Both types of peptic ulcers are most commonly caused either by
infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or by frequent use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The symptoms of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers are similar,
except for when pain occurs.
- Pain from a gastric ulcer often occurs when food
is still in the stomach, shortly after eating.
- Pain from a duodenal
ulcer often occurs when the stomach is empty, several hours after eating, and
may improve after eating. Pain also may wake you in the middle of
the night.
Symptoms alone cannot be used to distinguish a gastric ulcer from a
duodenal ulcer. Tests such as an
endoscopy or an
upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series may need to be
used to find out the location of an ulcer.
Gastric ulcers often heal more slowly than duodenal ulcers. A gastric
ulcer that does not respond to treatment could be cancer. Your doctor will most
likely recommend a
biopsy of a gastric ulcer before beginning treatment.
The biopsy will make sure there is no cancer hiding in the ulcer.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine