Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are painful sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. They are much more common than people often realize, affecting millions worldwide each year. For some, ulcers cause a constant dull ache, while for others the pain comes and goes in waves. Left untreated, these ulcers can lead to serious complications like internal bleeding or infections.

Understanding what causes stomach ulcers is the first step to managing and preventing them. It’s not just about what you eat — in fact, food is only one part of the puzzle. Stress, lifestyle habits, infections, and even certain medications can all play a role. By knowing the root causes, you can take practical steps to protect your digestive health and avoid the discomfort that ulcers bring.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

1. Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)

One of the leading culprits behind stomach ulcers is an infection with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. This spiral-shaped microbe weakens the protective mucus layer in your stomach, making it easier for stomach acid to damage the lining. Not everyone infected with H. pylori develops ulcers, but for those who do, the pain can be severe. The bacteria spreads through contaminated food, water, or close contact, and often stays unnoticed until symptoms appear.

2. Long-term Use of NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are common pain relievers. However, taking them frequently or at high doses can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of ulcers. This risk is even higher if you’re older, already have stomach issues, or combine NSAIDs with alcohol. People often assume “over-the-counter” means “harmless,” but regular use can be damaging.

3. Excess Stomach Acid Production

Some individuals naturally produce more stomach acid than others. This can be due to genetics, medical conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (rare but real), or lifestyle factors. When excess acid wears down the protective lining of the stomach, ulcers may form. High acid production, combined with H. pylori or NSAID use, makes the problem worse.

4. Stress and Lifestyle Habits

For years, doctors debated whether stress actually caused ulcers. Today, we know stress alone doesn’t directly create ulcers, but it certainly makes them worse and can slow healing. Add habits like smoking, heavy alcohol use, and poor sleep, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. These factors don’t just irritate the stomach — they also interfere with the body’s natural repair processes.

5. Diet and Irritants

Although food isn’t the primary cause, certain diets may irritate an existing ulcer or make symptoms flare. Spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol are frequent offenders. They don’t “create” ulcers out of nowhere, but if your stomach lining is already weak, these items can feel like pouring salt on a wound.

6. Genetics and Family History

There’s also evidence that genetics play a role. If ulcers run in your family, your risk might be higher. This doesn’t mean you’re destined to get them, but it does mean you should be more cautious about lifestyle choices and medications.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

If you’ve ever felt a sharp burning pain in your stomach and brushed it off as “just indigestion,” it might have been more than that. Stomach ulcers show up in ways that are easy to confuse with other digestive issues. Some people hardly notice them at all, while others deal with constant pain that interferes with daily life. That’s why knowing the symptoms of stomach ulcers is so important — early detection makes treatment much easier and prevents serious health problems down the road.

Common Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

1. Burning or Gnawing Stomach Pain

The most classic symptom is a burning or gnawing pain in the middle or upper stomach. It often happens between meals or at night when the stomach is empty. For some, the pain lasts a few minutes, for others it lingers for hours. Oddly, eating might make the pain better for a while, but it usually returns once food is digested.

2. Indigestion and Heartburn

Many ulcer patients complain of frequent indigestion or heartburn-like discomfort. Acid reflux can overlap with ulcers, creating confusion. The difference? With ulcers, the pain tends to be deeper, not just a sour taste in the throat. Sometimes people mis-diagnose themselves with “acid reflux” for months before realizing it’s actually an ulcer.

3. Nausea and Vomiting

Ulcers irritate the stomach lining, which can lead to nausea. In more severe cases, vomiting may occur. If vomit contains blood or looks like coffee grounds (yes, really), it’s a red flag and requires immediate medical attention. That’s a sign the ulcer is bleeding internally.

4. Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

Chronic ulcer pain can make eating unpleasant. Some people start skipping meals to avoid discomfort, which eventually leads to unintentional weight loss. This symptom is especially dangerous in children or older adults, where malnutrition can become a serious risk.

5. Bloating and Belching

Because ulcers mess with digestion, bloating and excessive belching are common. While these might sound like “minor” annoyances, if they happen alongside stomach pain, they shouldn’t be ignored.

Severe or Complicated Symptoms

Not all ulcers are obvious. Sometimes, the first sign is a major complication. These symptoms are urgent:

• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

• Black, tarry stools (indicating digested blood)

• Sudden sharp stomach pain that doesn’t go away

• Fainting or dizziness, which may signal blood loss

These situations aren’t just “bad stomach aches.” They are medical emergencies. If any of these appear, it’s important to seek help immediately.

Symptoms That Get Overlooked

Interestingly, some ulcers cause very mild or no symptoms at all. Silent ulcers are especially dangerous because they’re discovered only after complications arise. Doctors sometimes find them accidentally during tests for other conditions.

Another overlooked clue is pain patterns. Ulcers often follow a cycle — getting worse for a few weeks, then easing up, only to come back later. People often dismiss this as “random stomach issues,” but recurring cycles can be a big warning sign.

Treatment and Prevention of Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers may sound scary, but the good news is they’re treatable — and in many cases, preventable. The key is knowing what works and what doesn’t. Old myths like “just drink milk to soothe ulcers” or “spicy food causes them” don’t tell the whole story. Instead, effective treatment combines modern medicine with smarter lifestyle choices. Prevention, meanwhile, is about protecting your stomach lining before it ever gets damaged.

Medical Treatment for Stomach Ulcers

1. Antibiotics for H. pylori

If an ulcer is caused by Helicobacter pylori, doctors typically prescribe a combination of antibiotics. This treatment kills the bacteria and allows the stomach lining to heal. It usually involves taking multiple medications for a week or two. It’s important to finish the full course, even if symptoms go away early, otherwise the infection might come back.

2. Acid-Reducing Medications

Doctors also use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor blockers to lower stomach acid. Less acid means less irritation to the ulcer, giving it time to heal. Common names include omeprazole, lansoprazole, and famotidine. These meds aren’t a “cure,” but they create the right environment for recovery.

3. Protective Medications

Sometimes medications like sucralfate are prescribed. These coat the stomach lining, almost like a bandage, to shield the ulcer from acid. It’s especially useful for people with painful or slow-healing ulcers.

4. Surgery (Rare Cases)

In very severe cases, such as ulcers that don’t heal or cause dangerous bleeding, surgery might be necessary. Thankfully, this is much less common today thanks to antibiotics and advanced treatments.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medical treatment works best when combined with lifestyle adjustments. Here are some practical changes:

• Avoid NSAIDs: If you must use pain relievers, ask your doctor about alternatives like acetaminophen.

• Quit smoking: Nicotine delays healing and increases acid production.

• Limit alcohol: Alcohol erodes the stomach lining and worsens pain.

• Eat balanced meals: While diet doesn’t “cause” ulcers, eating smaller, balanced meals reduces discomfort.

• Manage stress: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even short walks can help minimize flare-ups.

Preventing Stomach Ulcers

Preventing ulcers is often easier than treating them. Here’s how to lower your risk:

1. Wash hands regularly to avoid H. pylori infection.

2. Make sure food and water are clean — especially when traveling.

3. Limit unnecessary use of NSAIDs.

4. Strengthen immunity with enough sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet.

5. See a doctor early if symptoms appear.

Conclusion

Stomach ulcers don’t have to control your life. By recognizing the causes, spotting symptoms early, and seeking proper treatment, you can heal and prevent them from returning. Prevention really is better than cure here — small lifestyle tweaks like avoiding excessive painkiller use or cutting down on smoking and alcohol can make a huge difference. Your stomach is tougher than you think, but it still needs care.

FAQs About Stomach Ulcers

1. Can stomach ulcers heal on their own?
Some very small ulcers may improve without treatment, but most need medical help to fully heal and prevent complications.

2. Is milk good for ulcers?
Milk might soothe pain temporarily, but it can actually trigger more acid production later. So it’s not a long-term fix.

3. Do spicy foods cause ulcers?
No, spicy foods don’t cause ulcers, but they can irritate an existing one and worsen symptoms.

4. How long does it take an ulcer to heal?
With treatment, most ulcers heal within 4–8 weeks. Severe ones may take longer.

5. Can stress alone cause ulcers?
Stress doesn’t directly cause ulcers, but it makes them worse and slows healing.