Understand the condition and arrange a consult with our stomach ulcer specialist

What is peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcer disease is a condition where a sore / break occurs at the digestive tract lining such as in the stomach. It may subsequently lead to more serious condition such as bleeding if untreated. Peptic ulcer disease is most commonly caused by Helicobacter Pylori infection, certain medications such as painkillers (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac acid etc) and lifestyle habits such as smoking.

What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease?

Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain (usually upper abdomen)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating and early satiety (feeling full after eating a small amount of food)
• Bleeding, usually manifesting as black or bloody stools

How is peptic ulcer disease diagnosed?

A medical procedure called upper GI endoscopy is required to visualize the stomach and intestine lining to diagnose peptic ulcer disease. Further tests such as tissue biopsies are usually performed at the same setting to understand further the cause of the ulcer (e.g. Helicobacter Pylori infection).

When do I need to see a specialist?

You should see a peptic ulcer disease specialist such as Gastroenterologist (sometimes known as stomach ulcer specialist) if you have the above symptoms especially bleeding. During consultation, a full history and physical examination will be performed before deciding on subsequent management.