Peptic Ulcer Disease Signs & Symptoms | Gastric vs. Duodenal Ulcers

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a disease involving ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa, often involving the stomach (gastric ulcers) and the first part of the small intestine – duodenum (duodenal ulcers). PUD can be caused by a variety of causes, of which infection with helicobacter pylori and chronic use of NSAIDs are the most common causes. The ulceration can cause a variety of signs and symptoms, which slightly differ between gastric and duodenal ulcers. In this lesson, we discuss these signs and symptoms, including why they occur, when they occur, and what makes them better and worse. We also discuss some complications of peptic ulcer disease, including warning/alarm symptoms.