Symptoms
Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease are sometimes very nonspecific and a diagnosis is unreliable on history alone:
Epigastric pain, usually 1 to 3 hours postprandial - it may sometimes wake the patient in the night, and be relieved by food.
Nausea.
Oral flatulence, bloating, distension and intolerance of fatty food - the last is also associated with gallstones.
Heartburn sometimes occurs although it is more typically associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux.
A posterior ulcer may cause pain radiating to the back.
Symptoms are relieved by antacids (very nonspecific).