Peptic ulcers are stomach ulcers that form in the stomach and duodenum. These ulcers are capable of causing a lot of discomfort but do not go as far as causing life-threatening symptoms. If the early warning signs of peptic ulcers go unnoticed, then the prevailing symptoms could lead to a lot of complications. These complications would further require surgical treatments to be done. The complications caused by peptic ulcer symptoms are as follows:

Malnutrition
Peptic ulcer is known to cause nausea and discomfort which automatically pushes the patient to reduce their food intake to avoid the symptoms. Because of the reduced intake of food, the patient can become deficient in the required minerals and vitamins. This could further lead to bone weakness, skin fragility, immune deficiencies, etc., all arising from malnutrition. This may not be visible initially.

Bleeding
The most common complication caused by peptic ulcer symptoms is bleeding. The bleeding is usually slow and subtle, and hence may not be noticed at the earliest stages. However, this bleeding can further lead to complications like anemia that arises due to the loss of small amounts of blood but at a higher frequency. Black or tarry stools are also a symbol of bleeding. However, this complication should be kept in check as much as possible, as the development of an ulcer in a blood vessel can lead to the erosion of the blood vessel causing massive loss of blood and turning the problem into a fatal one.

Perforation
Ulcers on the lining of the small intestine have the capability of wearing away by leaving a hole through which the gastrointestinal fluids leak into the body. Due to this, the patient would experience severe abdominal pain and shock and might require surgery ultimately.

Fistula
A perforated ulcer, in addition to causing problems with one organ, can also establish a connection with an organ or structure adjacent to it in the abdomen. These structures can include the pancreas, biliary tree, colon, or a major blood vessel. Establishing a connection between the organs through a perforation can be problematic because this could result in the exchange of fluids and materials. This further leads to hemorrhages and the vomiting of these materials. If this is an early warning sign of peptic ulcer has been noticed, it would require immediate surgical correction to prevent the problem from further getting more complicated.

If an individual experiences fatigue, unexpected weight loss, pain that radiates to the back, pain that doesn’t reduce with medication, difficulty in swallowing, etc., they should immediately consult with a doctor. The serious symptoms of this condition that would need immediate attention are sudden and severe pain in the abdomen, fever, loss of consciousness, dizziness, chills, blood vomiting, black or tar colored stools, etc.

The early warning signs of peptic ulcers can usually be relieved with the help of an antacid. Individuals who observe these early signs and complications should not hold back from visiting the doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis of this condition can efficiently prevent so many complications from happening and removes the need for complicated correction procedures.