(This is general information — not a diagnosis.)
✅ How Doctors Check for a Stomach Ulcer
1. Medical History & Symptoms
A doctor will first ask about symptoms such as:
Burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen
Pain that improves after eating or antacids
Nausea, bloating, early fullness
Dark/black stool (a warning sign)
Vomiting blood (urgent)
✅ 2. Tests Used to Diagnose a Stomach Ulcer
A. Endoscopy (EGD) — the most accurate test
A thin camera is passed through the throat into the stomach to:
Look directly for ulcers
Take biopsies (to check for H. pylori bacteria or rule out other causes)
Recommended if symptoms are severe, long-lasting, or if there are red-flag signs.
B. Tests for H. pylori (a common cause of ulcers)
These include:
Urea breath test
Stool antigen test
Blood test (less commonly used now)
These tests are non-invasive and often done first.
C. Imaging (used less often)
Upper GI contrast X-ray
Helps show ulcer complications when endoscopy is not available.
🚨 Seek urgent medical care if you have:
Vomiting blood
Black, tarry stools
Sudden severe abdominal pain (may indicate perforation)
Fainting, dizziness
These can be medical emergencies.