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Peptic Ulcer Disease - When To Call a Doctor
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
If you have been diagnosed with
a
peptic ulcer, call
- Symptoms that could indicate a heart attack or shock.
- Sudden severe, continuous abdominal pain or vomiting.
- Frequent feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when moving from lying down to a seated or standing position.
- Blood in your vomit or something that looks like coffee grounds (partially digested blood) in your vomit.
- Stools that are black or that look like tar, or stools that contain dark red or maroon blood.
Call your doctor if you have been diagnosed with a peptic ulcer and:
- Your symptoms continue or become worse after 10 to 14 days of treatment.
- You begin to lose weight without trying.
- You are vomiting.
- You have new belly pain or belly pain that does not go away.
Watchful Waiting
If you have been diagnosed with a peptic ulcer and medical treatment is not helping, call your doctor. Waiting until your symptoms get worse can be serious.
If you do not know if you have a peptic ulcer and you do not have any of the emergency symptoms listed above, you may try taking an antacid or nonprescription acid reducer and other home treatment, such as making changes to your diet.
- If your symptoms don't get better after 10 to 14 days, call your doctor.
- If your symptoms go away after taking antacids or acid reducers and trying home treatment but then symptoms come back, call your doctor.
Who To See
To evaluate your symptoms, see your:
- Family medicine doctor.
- Internist.
- General practitioner.
- Nurse practitioner.
- Physician assistant.
- Pediatrician (for children and teens).
If further testing or specialized treatment is needed, you may need to see someone who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract (gastroenterologist).
If surgery is needed, your doctor may refer you to a general surgeon. But surgery is rarely needed to treat ulcers.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: February 24, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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