![According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the most common pain associated with stomach ulcers is abdominal pain in the upper part of your abdomen, falling anywhere between the breastbone and belly button. [1]
Some people with peptic ulcers experience pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the back or the chest behind the breastbone. [2]
Jump Ahead
Pain Associated with Different Ulcers
Stomach Ulcers with No Pain
Stomach Ulcers and Back Pain
Stomach Ulcers and Chest Pain
Get a Diagnosis
References
Pain Associated with Different Ulcers
An ulcer is an open sore that can occur anywhere on the body, internally or externally. Peptic is a term used when a condition is related to, producing, or caused by pepsin, the acid that aids digestion. [3]
There are two types of peptic ulcers: gastric and duodenal. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach; duodenal occur in the first part of the small intestine. They can also occur in both. [4]
Both types have similar symptoms. The most common are pain or discomfort in your abdomen, feeling full too soon during or too full after a meal, nausea, bloating, and belching. [5]
The difference between the two is the time that passes before you experience pain. Pain from the gastric ulcer usually occurs 15-30 minutes following a meal, whereas pain from the duodenal ulcer occurs 2-3 hours after a meal. [6]
Stomach Ulcers with No Pain
Though dull or burning abdominal pain is the most common symptom associated with peptic ulcers, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that many people who have peptic ulcers don't have any symptoms. [7]
Stomach Ulcers and Back Pain
John Hopkins Medicine lists pain radiating to the back as a symptom of a peptic ulcer. They also caution that this back pain "could indicate the ulcer has penetrated." [8]
Stomach Ulcers and Chest Pain
According to the National Library of Medicine, chest pain can be a symptom of several digestive system problems, including stomach ulcers or gastritis. In this case, a burning pain occurs when your stomach is empty and lessens after you eat. [9]
Chest pain may also present as a symptom of a perforated ulcer. [10] A perforated ulcer occurs when a peptic ulcer burns through the stomach wall, excreting digestive juices into the abdominal cavity. Left untreated, this type of ulcer is life-threatening. [11]
You should consult your physician if you are experiencing chest pain.
Chest pain can indicate many health problems, both benign and life-threatening. For example, a panic attack can cause chest pains, as well as shingles, heartburn, and gallstones. More serious causes of chest pain could include a heart attack, a blood clot in the lung, and pleurisy, to name a few. [12]
Get a Diagnosis
Your physician must diagnose your peptic ulcer to treat it accordingly. Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to peptic ulcers, including gastritis, GERD, gastric cancer, pancreatitis, biliary colic, and cholecystitis. Symptoms could also indicate a more serious condition. [13]
References
[1][5][7] National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - "Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers."
[2] University of Maryland Medical Center - "Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers."
[3] Merriam Webster Dictionary - "Peptic Definition & Meaning."
[4] National Institutes of Health - National Library of Medicine - MedlinePlus - "Peptic Ulcer."
[6] Malik TF, Gnanapandithan K, Singh K. Peptic Ulcer Disease. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534792/
[8] John Hopkins Medicine - "Peptic Ulcer Disease."
[9][12] National Institutes of Health - National Library of Medicine - MedlinePlus - "Chest Pain."
[10] Bruner, D. I., & Gustafson, C. (2011). Respiratory distress and chest pain: a perforated peptic ulcer with an unusual presentation. International journal of emergency medicine, 4(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/1865-1380-4-34
[11] Hill AG. Management of perforated duodenal ulcer. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, editors. Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented. Munich: Zuckschwerdt; 2001. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6926/
[13] Malik TF, Gnanapandithan K, Singh K. Peptic Ulcer Disease. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534792/](https://www.sophisticatededge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/can-stomach-ulcers-cause-back-pain-1.jpg)
What Kind of Pain Do Stomach Ulcers Cause?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the most common pain associated with stomach ulcers is abdominal pain in the upper part of your abdomen, falling anywhere between the breastbone and belly button. [1]
Some people with peptic ulcers experience pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the back or the chest behind the breastbone. [2]
Jump Ahead
- Pain Associated with Different Ulcers
- Stomach Ulcers with No Pain
- Stomach Ulcers and Back Pain
- Stomach Ulcers and Chest Pain
- Get a Diagnosis
- References
Pain Associated with Different Ulcers
An ulcer is an open sore that can occur anywhere on the body, internally or externally. Peptic is a term used when a condition is related to, producing, or caused by pepsin, the acid that aids digestion. [3]
There are two types of peptic ulcers: gastric and duodenal. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach; duodenal occur in the first part of the small intestine. They can also occur in both. [4]
Both types have similar symptoms. The most common are pain or discomfort in your abdomen, feeling full too soon during or too full after a meal, nausea, bloating, and belching. [5]
The difference between the two is the time that passes before you experience pain. Pain from the gastric ulcer usually occurs 15-30 minutes following a meal, whereas pain from the duodenal ulcer occurs 2-3 hours after a meal. [6]
Stomach Ulcers with No Pain
Though dull or burning abdominal pain is the most common symptom associated with peptic ulcers, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that many people who have peptic ulcers don’t have any symptoms. [7]
Stomach Ulcers and Back Pain
John Hopkins Medicine lists pain radiating to the back as a symptom of a peptic ulcer. They also caution that this back pain “could indicate the ulcer has penetrated.” [8]
Stomach Ulcers and Chest Pain
According to the National Library of Medicine, chest pain can be a symptom of several digestive system problems, including stomach ulcers or gastritis. In this case, a burning pain occurs when your stomach is empty and lessens after you eat. [9]
Chest pain may also present as a symptom of a perforated ulcer. [10] A perforated ulcer occurs when a peptic ulcer burns through the stomach wall, excreting digestive juices into the abdominal cavity. Left untreated, this type of ulcer is life-threatening. [11]
You should consult your physician if you are experiencing chest pain.
Chest pain can indicate many health problems, both benign and life-threatening. For example, a panic attack can cause chest pains, as well as shingles, heartburn, and gallstones. More serious causes of chest pain could include a heart attack, a blood clot in the lung, and pleurisy, to name a few. [12]
Get a Diagnosis
Your physician must diagnose your peptic ulcer to treat it accordingly. Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to peptic ulcers, including gastritis, GERD, gastric cancer, pancreatitis, biliary colic, and cholecystitis. Symptoms could also indicate a more serious condition. [13]
References
- [1][5][7] National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – “Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers.“
- [2] University of Maryland Medical Center – “Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers.“
- [3] Merriam Webster Dictionary – “Peptic Definition & Meaning.“
- [4] National Institutes of Health – National Library of Medicine – MedlinePlus – “Peptic Ulcer.“
- [6] Malik TF, Gnanapandithan K, Singh K. Peptic Ulcer Disease. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534792/
- [8] John Hopkins Medicine – “Peptic Ulcer Disease.“
- [9][12] National Institutes of Health – National Library of Medicine – MedlinePlus – “Chest Pain.”
- [10] Bruner, D. I., & Gustafson, C. (2011). Respiratory distress and chest pain: a perforated peptic ulcer with an unusual presentation. International journal of emergency medicine, 4(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/1865-1380-4-34
- [11] Hill AG. Management of perforated duodenal ulcer. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, editors. Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented. Munich: Zuckschwerdt; 2001. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6926/
- [13] Malik TF, Gnanapandithan K, Singh K. Peptic Ulcer Disease. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534792/
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material on this website, is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this or any other website.
Related Products
