Peptic ulcer

For a lay person:

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. It causes burning upper abdominal pain and can bleed.

For a trained medical person:

Ulceration of gastric or duodenal mucosa, mainly from H. pylori and NSAIDs. Diagnosis by endoscopy and H. pylori testing. Treatment: eradication therapy, proton pump inhibitors and stopping NSAIDs.

In Chinese medicine:

Flaws and Sionneau's textbook differentiates this condition into these patterns: Liver Qi Invading the Stomach; Depressive heat; Spleen-stomach deficiency weakness; Constructive and blood insufficiency; Food Stagnation; Phlegm-Damp Obstruction (uterus / middle); Blood Stasis; Stomach Yin Deficiency. Treatment follows the pattern a patient presents with, not the Western diagnosis alone.

When to get help: Get emergency care for vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe abdominal pain.