Peptic ulcer disease (
PUD), also known as a
peptic ulcer or
stomach ulcer, is a break in the lining of the
stomach, first part of the
small intestine, or occasionally the lower
esophagus. An ulcer in the stomach is known as a
gastric ulcer while that in the first part of the intestines is known as a
duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms are waking at night with
upper abdominal pain or upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. The pain is often described as a
burning or dull ache. Other symptoms include
belching, vomiting, weight loss, or
poor appetite. About a third of older people have no symptoms. Complications may include
bleeding,
perforation, and
blockage of the stomach. Bleeding occurs in as many as 15% of people.