Can an ulcer make you feel sick? Understanding Nausea and Peptic Ulcer Disease

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2018 survey by the CDC, almost 6% of Americans are diagnosed with peptic ulcers each year, a condition that can often make you feel sick. While a gnawing abdominal pain is a classic sign, many people are surprised to learn that nausea and vomiting are also very common symptoms.

Quick Summary

Peptic ulcers frequently cause nausea and vomiting due to irritation from stomach acid, inflammation, and potential digestive blockages. The specific pattern of sickness can vary depending on the ulcer's location and severity.

Key Points

Ulcers Cause Nausea: Peptic ulcers frequently cause nausea and feelings of sickness due to inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining.
Vomiting is a Possibility: When the irritation is severe enough, it can cause stomach contractions that lead to vomiting, sometimes containing blood.
Location Affects Symptoms: A duodenal ulcer often causes nausea when the stomach is empty, while a gastric ulcer's symptoms may worsen after eating.
Blockages Can Cause Sickness: In rare cases, a blocked digestive tract due to ulcer swelling or scarring can cause persistent nausea and vomiting.
Anemia from Bleeding: Chronic bleeding from an ulcer can lead to anemia, resulting in weakness, fatigue, and an overall feeling of sickness.
Emergency Symptoms: Vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, or black, tarry stools indicate a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Link Between Ulcers and Sickness

It is common for a peptic ulcer—an open sore on the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine—to cause feelings of nausea and, in some cases, vomiting. The primary reason for this link stems from the digestive process and how an ulcer disrupts it. The erosion of the protective stomach lining by digestive juices and inflammation irritates the stomach and small intestine, leading to feelings of upset.

How Ulcers Trigger Nausea

Inflammation and Irritation

When a peptic ulcer forms, the protective mucous layer of the digestive tract is compromised, leaving the underlying tissue exposed to stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This creates a painful, inflammatory response. The inflammation can trigger stomach contractions that lead to nausea and the urge to vomit, especially when the stomach is empty, such as early in the morning.

Blockage from Swelling

In more severe, though less common, cases, an ulcer can lead to complications that directly interfere with digestion. An ulcer located at the junction of the stomach and the small intestine (duodenum) can cause swelling and scarring. This can narrow the passageway, leading to a blockage that prevents food from moving through the digestive tract properly. When food cannot pass, it builds up, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and feeling uncomfortably full after eating only a small amount.

Bleeding and Anemia

If an ulcer bleeds slowly over time, it can lead to anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia can cause general feelings of weakness, fatigue, and dizziness, which can easily contribute to feeling unwell or sick. In cases of severe, rapid bleeding, a person may vomit blood that resembles coffee grounds, which is a medical emergency that would cause intense sickness.

Symptom Comparison: Gastric vs. Duodenal Ulcers

The location of the ulcer can influence the timing and nature of symptoms like nausea. The table below outlines some key differences.


Symptom	Gastric Ulcer	Duodenal Ulcer
Abdominal Pain	Often worsens immediately after eating food.	Often occurs when the stomach is empty, improving temporarily with food or antacids.
Nausea	More frequently associated with nausea and feeling full after eating.	Can cause nausea, often before eating or during the night, improving after eating.
Bloating	Common, accompanied by feeling full early.	Common, along with a feeling of fullness.

Beyond Nausea: A List of Other Common Ulcer Symptoms

Nausea and vomiting are often part of a broader set of symptoms. Other common signs of a peptic ulcer include:

Burning abdominal pain: A gnawing or burning pain in the upper abdomen is the most classic symptom.
Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus.
Bloating and fullness: A swollen sensation in the abdomen or feeling full after small meals.
Indigestion and belching: Frequent burping and general digestive discomfort.
Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss can result from loss of appetite or avoidance of food due to pain.
Dark or bloody stools: This indicates bleeding in the upper digestive tract. Stools may appear black, sticky, or tarry.

When to See a Doctor

While many peptic ulcers are manageable with treatment, certain symptoms signal a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. You should see a doctor if:

Your nausea and vomiting are persistent or worsening.
You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
You have black, tarry, or bloody stools.
You experience sudden, sharp, or severe abdominal pain.
You feel dizzy or faint, which can indicate internal bleeding.
You lose weight unexpectedly.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, and tests may be conducted to confirm the presence of H. pylori bacteria. In some cases, a doctor might perform an endoscopy to directly view the stomach lining.

Treatment Options to Relieve Symptoms

Effective treatment for a peptic ulcer involves addressing the root cause. If H. pylori is the culprit, a doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria. For ulcers caused by regular use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, discontinuing the medication is necessary. In most cases, acid-reducing medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to help the ulcer heal by lowering the amount of stomach acid.

Lifestyle changes also play a crucial role in managing symptoms and healing. Avoiding aggravating substances like alcohol and tobacco can help. While bland diets aren't necessary, some individuals find that certain trigger foods or drinks, such as spicy foods or caffeine, can worsen their symptoms.

Conclusion

So, can an ulcer make you feel sick? The answer is a definitive yes. Nausea is a common symptom resulting from the inflammation, irritation, and potential blockages caused by a peptic ulcer. Feeling unwell, especially if accompanied by other digestive symptoms, should prompt a consultation with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Most ulcers are curable, and addressing the underlying cause can bring significant relief from the unsettling feelings of sickness associated with the condition.

For more detailed information, consult authoritative health resources like the Mayo Clinic's overview on peptic ulcers.

Frequently Asked Questions

An ulcer causes nausea primarily due to irritation of the stomach lining by digestive acids. The resulting inflammation can trigger stomach contractions that lead to an upset stomach and the urge to vomit.

Yes, an ulcer can cause vomiting. If the irritation and inflammation become severe, or if the ulcer causes a blockage in the digestive tract, vomiting can occur.

Nausea from an ulcer is often accompanied by other specific symptoms like a burning abdominal pain, bloating, or feeling full after small meals. The timing of the nausea relative to eating can also provide clues.

Yes. Some ulcers, particularly duodenal ulcers, can cause nausea and pain when the stomach is empty, and these symptoms may even improve after eating.

Vomiting from a bleeding ulcer can appear bright red or, more commonly, dark brown and granular, resembling coffee grounds. This is a sign of a medical emergency.

While nausea can be a common symptom, persistent or severe vomiting, or vomiting blood, can be a sign of a serious complication like bleeding or a blockage. These require immediate medical attention.

Treating the underlying ulcer will resolve the nausea. This can involve antibiotics for an H. pylori infection, discontinuing NSAID use, and taking acid-reducing medication.