Symptoms Ulcers can heal on their own, but you should never ignore their warning signs. Without treatment, ulcers can lead to serious health problems. An ulcer may or may not produce any symptoms. Abdominal pain may be relieved by antacids or milk, usually occurs two to three hours after eating, and may be worsened by not eating. Other symptoms may include indigestion, weight loss, and fatigue.
Some symptoms can be life threatening.
Contact your health care provider immediately if you have sharp, sudden or persistent stomach pain, have a bloody or black stool, vomit blood or have vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These symptoms should be considered a medical emergency. No single cause has been found for ulcers. An ulcer is caused by an imbalance between the digestive fluids. Spicy foods can make ulcers more painful, but they are not known to cause ulcers.