Abdominal ulcers are open sores or lesions that form in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Stress, diet, stomach acid and bacteria may all play a role in causing these ulcers to develop. Symptoms of abdominal ulcers can be bothersome and persistent. The Mayo Clinic advises anyone with gnawing abdominal pain to see a doctor for treatment, even if antacids provide them with temporary relief.
Pain
Burning pain is the most common symptom of an ulcer, according to the Mayo Clinic. This pain is generally felt from the naval to the breastbone and may last for minutes--or hours--at a time. Pain caused by an ulcer in the abdominal wall is aggravated by stomach acid and therefore may become worse in between meals, late at night or in the early morning hours when your stomach is empty. Eating foods that buffer stomach acid may provide temporary relief of painful symptoms. Over-the-counter antacids may also temporarily decrease the burning sensation. Sometimes, the pain may disappear for a while and then return for weeks or months.
Less Common Symptoms
Some people may experience less common symptoms associated with ulcers, notes The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). These symptoms can include belching, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and weakness, poor appetite and weight loss. These symptoms may be warning signs that an ulcer is worsening.
Serious Symptoms
If an ulcer starts to eat into the muscles of the stomach or the lining of the small intestine (duodenal wall), it can damage blood vessels and cause internal bleeding. This can lead to the vomiting of blood (or cause vomit that is blackish in color) and can cause the stool to be bloody or black or tarry in appearance. The Mayo Clinic warns that slow blood loss can also lead to anemia (a condition characterized by low red blood cell count that causes severe fatigue and weakness and may lead to heart problems). Those with extensive blood loss may require hospitalization or a blood transfusion.
According to the UMMC, a perforation or hole in the intestinal wall can cause bacteria and partially digested food to escape into the sterile abdominal cavity, leading to infection and peritonitis--an inflammation of the tissue lining the abdominal wall and organs.
If an ulcer forms at the end of the stomach near the entrance to the small intestine, it may cause swelling and scarring that obstruct the passage of food through the intestinal tract. A narrowing or blockage of this passageway can cause people to frequently vomit their stomach contents.
