Joy Onuorah

The signs of a stomach ulcer can range from mild to severe. Here are the top five signs you may have an ulcer: 

Burning pain

The most common sign of a stomach ulcer is dull, burning pain in the stomach area. This pain typically appears between meals when your stomach is empty. It may last only a few moments, or it could last for hours. 

Frequent indigestion or heartburn

Ulcers can increase the feeling of indigestion or heartburn, a burning feeling near your heart or upper stomach that happens when stomach acid flows up into your oesophagus. If you notice increased instances of indigestion or heartburn, a stomach ulcer could be to blame.  

Nausea or vomiting

Stomach ulcers can make you feel sick to your stomach, especially early in the morning after going for a long time without food. Ulcers trigger an inflammatory response in the stomach, which can cause stomach contractions. If they get strong enough, you may experience vomiting.  

Change in stool colour

If you notice your stool looks black, which is the colour of digested blood, this could be a sign of a bleeding ulcer. Bleeding ulcers are a serious medical condition and require urgent attention. 

Unexplainable weight loss

Sometimes stomach ulcers create a block in the digestive system due to the inflammation they cause. This can prevent food from moving through your stomach, leading to weight loss and a decrease in appetite.