Duodenal Ulcer Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment

A duodenal ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer that can appear in the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine that’s connected directly to the stomach where it empties into the intestines.

Peptic ulcers are sores that form when the protective mucus lining of the stomach or intestine is worn away.

Duodenal ulcers are diagnosed in 5–10% of people in the Western world. They’re usually caused by Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or by overusing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Read on to learn about the symptoms of duodenal ulcers, their most common causes and complications, and how a duodenal ulcer can be diagnosed and treated.

Pain around the abdomen is the most common symptom of a duodenal ulcer.

Duodenal ulcer pain can range from a light ache to a burning sensation coming from the stomach area. Pain may be more noticeable at night or after you haven’t eaten for a while.

Other symptoms of a duodenal ulcer can include:

As a duodenal ulcer progresses, you may notice more severe symptoms. Contact a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

Duodenal ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer. This means that they happen when the layer of mucus that lines your duodenum is damaged or penetrated by infectious substances or other materials that can damage this lining.

The two most common reasons for damage to this mucus lining include:

Some other possible causes of duodenal ulcers include:

Some factors that can increase your risk of developing a duodenal ulcer include:

Untreated duodenal ulcers can cause complications that become increasingly hard to treat, including:

Some tests that a doctor might use to diagnose a duodenal ulcer include:

Treatment for a duodenal ulcer depends on what’s causing the ulcer.

Some possible treatments include:

You can usually prevent a duodenal ulcer from returning by reducing your risk factors for an ulcer.

Here are some tips for preventing a duodenal ulcer:

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about duodenal ulcers.

NSAID overuse is the most common cause of duodenal ulcers in the Western world.

Developments in hygiene practices and sewage treatment have made H. pylori much less common. But they are still a common cause of ulcers globally.

Duodenal ulcer pain feels like a burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach area between your chest and belly button. This pain may feel like it never goes away and may feel more painful at night or a few hours after a meal.

An untreated duodenal ulcer may go away on its own if an H. pylori infection is reduced or if NSAID use decreases. But in many cases, an untreated ulcer can wear away at the lining of the duodenum and weaken it, increasing the risk of infectious material leaking into your abdomen.

A duodenal ulcer isn’t usually life threatening if it’s treated. But an untreated duodenal ulcer that wears away at your intestinal lining can cause a perforation in your duodenum and increase your risk of sepsis, a life threatening immune system response that can affect multiple organs in your body.

Duodenal ulcers often form because of bacterial infections or the overuse of NSAIDs. They can cause burning abdominal pain that can be disruptive to your daily life.

If they’re left untreated, duodenal ulcers can wear away at the mucus lining of your duodenum and lead to perforations or dangerous infections. Contact a doctor if you experience burning stomach pain for a long period of time.