---
title: "Ulcer Definition & Meaning | infoMD Health Glossary"
description: "An ulcer is an open sore or lesion that develops on the skin or mucous membranes when the tissue's protective surface is eroded, exposing underlying layers"
lang: en
json-ld: |
  [
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "DefinedTerm",
      "name": "Ulcer",
      "description": "An ulcer is an open sore or lesion that develops on the skin or mucous membranes when the tissue's protective surface is eroded, exposing underlying layers. While ulcers can occur anywhere in the body (skin ulcers, mouth ulcers, corneal ulcers), the term most commonly refers to peptic ulcers - sores that develop in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers).",
      "inDefinedTermSet": {
        "@type": "DefinedTermSet",
        "name": "infoMD Health Glossary",
        "url": "https://infomd.com/glossary"
      },
      "url": "https://infomd.com/glossary/ulcer"
    },
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://infomd.com"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Glossary",
          "item": "https://infomd.com/glossary"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Ulcer",
          "item": "https://infomd.com/glossary/ulcer"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
---

[Skip to main content](#main-content)

[![infoMD](/assets/infomd-logo-CtvTblFD.png)](/)

[Home](/)

[Conditions](/conditions)

[Glossary](/glossary)[Shop](/shop)

1.  [Home](/)
2.  [Glossary](/glossary)
3.  Ulcer 

[Digestive](/glossary?system=Digestive)

# Ulcer

ul·cer - UL-ser

## Definition

An ulcer is an open sore or lesion that develops on the skin or mucous membranes when the tissue's protective surface is eroded, exposing underlying layers. While ulcers can occur anywhere in the body (skin ulcers, mouth ulcers, corneal ulcers), the term most commonly refers to peptic ulcers - sores that develop in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers).

Peptic ulcers affect approximately 10% of the world's population at some point in their lives. The two primary causes are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is present in about 50% of the world's population, and regular use of [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs](/glossary/nsaid) (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Contrary to popular belief, stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, though they can worsen symptoms in someone who already [has](/glossary/hyaluronic-acid) one.

Symptoms of peptic ulcers include burning stomach pain (often worse when the stomach is empty), bloating, nausea, and in severe cases, vomiting blood or passing dark, tarry stools (signs of internal bleeding). The discovery that H. pylori causes most peptic ulcers - by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who won the Nobel Prize in 2005 - revolutionized treatment, transforming ulcers from a chronic condition requiring surgery to one that can often be cured with a course of antibiotics.

## Also Known As

Peptic ulcer Gastric ulcer Duodenal ulcer 

## Key Facts

-   • H. pylori infection and NSAID use account for the vast majority of peptic ulcers - not stress or spicy food. 
-   • Barry Marshall famously drank a culture of H. pylori to prove it caused ulcers, developing gastritis within days. 
-   • Peptic ulcers are typically diagnosed by upper endoscopy (EGD) and/or testing for H. pylori. 
-   • H. pylori ulcers are treated with 'triple therapy' - a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics for 14 days. 
-   • Complications of untreated ulcers include bleeding, perforation (hole in the stomach wall), and gastric outlet obstruction. 

## How It Relates To Your Health

If you experience persistent burning stomach pain, especially when hungry or at night, consult your healthcare provider for evaluation. Testing for H. pylori (through breath test, stool test, or blood test) is the first step, as treatment with antibiotics can cure H. pylori-related ulcers. If you regularly use [NSAIDs](/glossary/nsaid), your doctor may recommend gastroprotective medications like proton pump inhibitors.

Prevention involves judicious use of NSAIDs (taking the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, with food), treating H. pylori infection when detected, and avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking - both of which impair mucosal healing and increase ulcer risk.

## Related Terms

[NSAID](/glossary/nsaid)[Inflammation](/glossary/inflammation)[Microbiome](/glossary/microbiome)[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease](/glossary/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease)

## Related Articles

[![How Gut Health Affects Your Mood](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512621776951-a57141f2eefd?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop&fm=webp)](/mental-health/gut-health-affects-mood)

[](/mental-health/gut-health-affects-mood)[Mental Health](/mental-health)

### How Gut Health Affects Your Mood

2025-11-10

## Sources

1.  [Peptic Ulcer Disease](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers) - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH)
2.  [Peptic Ulcer](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354223) - Mayo Clinic
3.  [Peptic Ulcer Disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534792/) - StatPearls / PubMed

Was this definition helpful?

In This Entry

[Definition](#definition)[Also Known As](#also-known-as)[Key Facts](#key-facts)[How It Relates To Your Health](#health-relevance)[Related Terms](#related-terms)[Related Articles](#related-articles)[Sources](#sources)

Browse Digestive Terms

[Irritable Bowel Syndrome](/glossary/irritable-bowel-syndrome)[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease](/glossary/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease)[Microbiome](/glossary/microbiome)[Peristalsis](/glossary/peristalsis)[Leaky Gut Syndrome](/glossary/leaky-gut-syndrome)[Detoxification](/glossary/detoxification)

Advertisement 

#### Explore

-   [Condition Library](/conditions)
-   [Health Glossary](/glossary)
-   [Shop](/shop)

#### Body Systems

-   [Cardiovascular](/conditions/body-system/cardiovascular)
-   [Digestive](/conditions/body-system/digestive)
-   [Neurological](/conditions/body-system/neurological)
-   [Respiratory](/conditions/body-system/respiratory)
-   [Musculoskeletal](/conditions/body-system/musculoskeletal)
-   [Endocrine](/conditions/body-system/endocrine)
-   [Immune System](/conditions/body-system/immune-system)
-   [Mental Health](/conditions/body-system/mental-health)
-   [Skin](/conditions/body-system/skin)

#### Company

-   [About infoMD](/about)
-   [Contact Us](/contact)
-   [844-357-3601](tel:+18443573601)

#### Legal

-   [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)
-   [Terms of Use](/terms-of-use)
-   [Disclaimer](/disclaimer)
-   [Cookie Policy](/cookie-policy)
-   [Accessibility](/accessibility)

© 2026 infoMD LLC. All rights reserved. For informational purposes only. See our [Disclaimer](/disclaimer).

[About](/about)[Contact](/contact)[Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms of Use](/terms-of-use)