Topic Overview

• Topic Overview
• Cause
• Symptoms
• What Happens
• What Increases Your Risk
• When To Call a Doctor
• Exams and Test
• Treatment Overview
• Prevention
• Home Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery

Peptic ulcers are sores in the inner lining of the stomach or upper small intestine (duodenum). These sores develop when the stomach's digestive juices—which contain hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin—irritate and damage tissue. The stomach's digestive juices also can injure the esophagus.

Peptic ulcers that form in the lining of the stomach are called gastric ulcers. Those that form in the upper small intestine are called duodenal ulcers.

See an illustration of the digestive tract.