Can affect only the stomach or both the stomach and duodenum (first part of the small bowel). Most commonly, ulcers are due to a bacterial infection called Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) and can be treated medically with antibiotics and acid reducing medication.
Ulcers usually present with pain and vomiting related to eating or hunger. Complicated ulcers can acutely present with bleeding thus vomiting blood or passing dark stool per rectum, and usually can be controlled with endoscopic maneuvers. A perforated Ulcer presents with severe pain and fever, and requires an emergent operation.
Chronic ulcer complications (Intractability, Gastric outlet obstruction) require surgery, which can be done in minimally invasive techniques.