Peptic ulcers are painful sores in the lining of your stomach or small intestine. You may develop an ulcer if you have a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in your stomach or if you regularly use nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer
Reach out to us if you have these common symptoms of a peptic ulcer:
- Dull or burning abdominal pain that comes and goes for several days or weeks
- Nausea or vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Unintended weight loss
- Unexplained anemia (low blood count)
Peptic Ulcer Treatment at Rush
You don't have to live with the discomfort of an ulcer. Our gastroenterologists can uncover the cause of your burning pain. They can also help you prevent your ulcer from getting worse and causing serious problems like internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
Your care may include medicines that decrease stomach acid and evaluation for a stomach infection that may be causing your symptoms. We'll work with you to find the right treatment to help you start feeling better as quickly as possible.
Meet our peptic ulcer providers
Rush Excellence in Peptic Ulcer Care
- Recognized experts in ulcer care: Your care team includes some of the country's leading GI experts who understand how to treat ulcers like yours. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center one of the country's best hospitals for gastroenterology and GI surgery.
- Fast access to care: We understand that you want to find answers to your burning pain as quickly as possible. That's why our providers are usually able to see you within one week. You may even be able to see a doctor on the same day as your request, either in-person or virtually.
- Surgical expertise for serious ulcers: If you have a serious peptic ulcer that won't heal or you develop complications from your ulcer, Rush surgeons can use minimally invasive and robotic options to treat your ulcer. This will help you feel less pain after surgery and recover more quickly.