An ulcer is an open sore. Though there are a variety of types and locations on the body where they occur, peptic ulcers are the typical kind, with an estimated 10 percent of Americans developing one at some point, according to MayoClinic.com. Peptic ulcers form in the stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus. When severe, they can lead to medical emergencies, including intestinal obstruction, perforated linings and internal hemorrhaging, or bleeding.
Abdominal Pain
While abdominal pain is the most common symptom of a severe peptic ulcer, the characteristics of the pain differ between individuals, notes MedlinePlus. It is often a burning sensation or pangs of sharp pain, but it can be a dull ache as well. Pain usually occurs between the bellybutton and the breastbone, but it can radiate beyond this area, including to the chest and back, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pain is sometimes localized, and in other instances widespread. The pain may be fleeting or last for hours, and it often comes and goes for periods of a few days or weeks. Pain may be worse when hungry, within a few hours of eating or at night. Food and antacids may temporarily remedy the abdominal pain associated with certain types of peptic ulcers, but not all. As an ulcer becomes more severe, the pain generally becomes more prominent, frequent and of longer duration. Pain from a severe ulcer may even wake you in the middle of the night.
Digestive Symptoms
A severe ulcer causes symptoms affecting the digestive system. Indigestion, belching and heartburn are common. Severe ulcers may trigger decreased appetite, bloating or feelings of fullness, as well as nausea and vomiting. In addition, they are known to prompt unintentional weight loss, according to the TeensHealth website.
Emergency Symptoms
As severe peptic ulcers can become medical emergencies, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. If abdominal pain becomes severe, it calls for prompt professional diagnosis and treatment. Ulcers that have become an emergency can cause bloody vomit or diarrhea, which usually appear reddish or black in color. Stools may appear tar-like, and vomiting may be excessive, but not bloody. Symptoms of anemia, such as difficulty breathing and fatigue, may present as well, as a result of internal bleeding, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
