History

• Although poor diet and stress were considered the cause of ulcers, research has now shown that H. pylori bacteria infection is the most common reason a person will develop an ulcer.
  
  

Types

• There are three main types of ulcers and they develop in different parts of your digestive system: gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and esophageal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach, a duodenal ulcer develops in the small intestine, and an esophageal ulcer affects the lower esophagus.
  
  

Effects

• Pain is the most common warning sign of an ulcer and will likely flare up at night and radiate from the navel to the breastbone. The pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
  
  

Considerations

• Other warning signs of ulcers include vomiting blood, dark stools, nausea, vomiting and an unexpected weight loss.
  
  

Warning

• If an ulcer is left untreated, the symptoms will worsen and can lead to internal bleeding, infection or scar tissue.