Symptoms of ULCER, PEPTIC

Peptic ulcer disease produces pain that is burning, boring or gnawing. It typically lasts 30 minutes to 3 hours. Frequently, the pain is interpreted as heartburn, indigestion or hunger. The pain from peptic ulcer disease usually occurs in the upper abdomen and occasionally below the breastbone. In some persons with peptic ulcer disease, the pain occurs immediately after eating, while in others, it may not occur until hours later. The pain may awaken you at night. It is not unusual for the pain to come and go, and weeks of intermittent pain may alternate with short pain-free periods. The pain may be relieved by drinking milk, eating, resting or taking antacids. Loss of appetite, loss of weight and recurrent vomiting may occur. Vomiting blood and black tarry stools may develop if bleeding occurs from the ulcer into the stomach or intestinal tract. If anemia develops, weakness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance may develop.