Signs of stomach ulcer are often confused with heartburn, hunger pains and indigestion. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of pain and discomfort.

A stomach ulcer is a small hole in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common type of stomach ulcer normally appears will appear in the first twelve inches of the small intestine, just beyond the stomach. There are also ulcers, called gastric ulcers that form in the stomach itself. An ulcer is not typically cancerous and it is not at all contagious. Typically all ulcers in the small intestine are benign, while the gastric ulcers in the stomach may become malignant.

The stomach ulcer disease is extremely common and affects millions of Americans every year. The size of stomach ulcers may vary and range anywhere from 1/8 of an inch to 3/4 of an inch. While ulcers are common in adults, children can develop stomach ulcers too. While stomach ulcers can be caused by infection or injury to the gastrointestinal tract, another common cause of a stomach ulcer is use of anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin.

One of the major sings of stomach ulcer is a burning sensation or gnawing feeling in the area of the stomach. This may last anywhere from thirty minutes to three hours and is often mistaken for heartburn, hunger or indigestion. The pain will normally occur in the upper portion of the abdomen. However, there are times that it can occur just under the breast bone. Some people will experience the pain immediately after eating a meal. However, it' not unlikely for someone to feel the pain of a stomach ulcer hours after they"e eaten. This is why it can be confused with hunger pains.

The stomach pains are often relieved by drinking a glass of milk, resting, eating or taking an antacid. Other common symptoms of a stomach ulcer are loss of appetite and weight loss. However, people who have stomach ulcers that are actually in the stomach may experience weight gain because they often will eat to ease the pain. People who suffer from stomach ulcers may also find blood in their stool, have a black stool, be prone to recurrent vomiting and develop anemia. People are at a higher risk for developing a stomach ulcer if ulcers run in their family, if they smoke, if they consume excessive amounts of alcohol or if they use a lot of ant-inflammatory medications.