At a glance
  • Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach or first part of the small intestine and may cause burning or gnawing upper abdominal pain.
  • H. pylori and NSAID painkillers are common causes; treatment depends on identifying the cause.
  • Black tarry stools or vomiting blood can indicate significant gastrointestinal bleeding.

Why this deserves attention

Ulcers can be linked with H. pylori infection or anti-inflammatory medicines. Persistent upper abdominal pain, black stools or vomiting blood needs medical assessment.

The same symptom can have several causes. Useful clues include how quickly it changed, how severe it is, what comes with it, personal risk factors and whether it is clearly different from your normal baseline.

What to observe

Note pain timing, relation to meals, nausea, weight loss, stool colour and use of ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines.

Write down when symptoms happen, how long they last, triggers, changes in normal function and medicines or supplements already taken. A short record often makes a consultation more useful.

Sensible next steps

Persistent symptoms deserve GP assessment. Testing for H. pylori may use breath, stool or other methods, and treatment requires a specific course when infection is present.

Medical assessment and where TCM fits

Ulcers can bleed or perforate. Acid-suppressing treatment and eradication of H. pylori when present can reduce recurrence and complications.

TCM may be discussed for residual digestive comfort after diagnosis, but it should not replace H. pylori eradication or assessment of bleeding.

TCM and conventional care can sometimes complement each other, but acute red flags, conditions needing imaging or blood tests, and diseases with established evidence-based treatment require diagnosis and safety to come first.

When not to wait

Vomiting blood, black tarry stool, fainting, sudden severe abdominal pain or a rigid abdomen requires urgent emergency assessment.

Related reading & Singapore resources

Important

This page provides general health education, not an individual diagnosis or emergency plan. Sudden, severe, worsening or red-flag symptoms should be assessed through appropriate conventional medical or emergency care.