Complications and risks of peptic ulcer

Most peptic ulcers heal without problems, but untreated or ignored ulcers can cause serious complications.

Possible complications

• Bleeding: the most common complication. It can be slow, causing anaemia, or sudden and heavy, with black stools or vomiting blood.
• Perforation: a hole through the stomach or duodenal wall that leaks contents into the abdomen. It causes sudden severe pain and is a surgical emergency.
• Gastric outlet obstruction: swelling or scarring blocks food leaving the stomach, causing vomiting and weight loss.
• Penetration: the ulcer extends into nearby organs such as the pancreas.
• Stomach cancer link: a small number of gastric ulcers may be cancerous, and long-term H. pylori infection raises stomach cancer risk. This is why checking and follow-up matter.

Risk factors for complications

• Age over 60
• Ongoing NSAID or steroid use
• Use of blood thinners
• Smoking and alcohol
• Delay in treatment
• Other serious illness

Emergency signs: call 112 or 102

• Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
• Black tarry stools
• Sudden severe belly pain, a rigid belly
• Fainting, dizziness, fast heartbeat

Prevention of complications

Early testing, treating H. pylori, stopping the cause and completing follow-up reduce risk greatly.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive)

Traditional texts warn that neglected burning conditions may progress to bleeding disorders. This is an interpretive view and does not change the need for urgent modern care.

Remember

Do not ignore black stools, repeated vomiting or sudden severe pain. Seek help immediately.