A stomach ulcer, or gastric ulcer, occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes irritated, leaving the tissue vulnerable to the effects of stomach acid. A bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori causes over half of all stomach ulcers worldwide, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause ulcers. As the stomach acid damages the cells, an open sore, or ulcer, forms, and over time it can invade deeper into the stomach wall, leading to a bleeding ulcer. Because a bleeding ulcer can lead to more severe complications, such as a tear in the stomach wall, it is important to notice the symptoms.
Vomiting Blood
An ulcer that invades deep into the wall of the stomach can irritate the surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation. Inflammation near the opening from the stomach to the small intestine can cause this opening to narrow. As the opening narrows, partially digested stomach contents cannot move from the stomach into the small intestine. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Patients with a bleeding stomach ulcer may see blood in the vomit, or the vomit may contain partially digested blood that looks like reddish brown clumps, similar to coffee grounds.
Bloody Stool
The presence of blood in the stool indicates some sort of digestive disorder. If the blood appears red, it most likely originated from the large intestine, or colon. A bleeding stomach ulcer will cause black tarry stools, as described by the British United Provident Association, because as the blood passes through the bowel, it breaks down.
Abdominal Pain
Because bleeding stomach ulcers invade deep into the wall of the stomach, they usually cause abdominal pain. Patients often describe the pain caused by gastric ulcers as a gnawing, burning or aching sensation. The pain ranges from mild to moderately severe and can be severe enough to awaken a person during the night. Some individuals suffer from pain that feels worse in the morning and subsides after eating, while others experience a steady pain, according to The Merck Manual.
Anemia
Some bleeding peptic ulcers fail to produce any noticeable symptoms. The onset of anemia—a low number of red blood cells—can indicate the presence of a bleeding ulcer. Since fewer red blood cells means less oxygen circulates through the body, anemia causes fatigue. Anemia can also cause shortness of breath, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, cold hands or feet, and headache, according to MayoClinic.com.
