Final answer:
Gastric ulcer refers to a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, belching, vomiting, weight loss, and poor appetite. Untreated ulcers can lead to stomach perforation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gastric ulcer refers to a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, commonly caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The pain associated with gastric ulcers is partly due to irritation of the ulcerated tissue by acidic gastric juice. Symptoms of gastric ulcer include upper abdominal pain, particularly at night, which improves with eating. Other symptoms may include belching, vomiting, weight loss, and poor appetite.
Furthermore, gastric ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer, which can also occur in the duodenum. If the ulcer occurs in the stomach, it is called a gastric ulcer; if it occurs in the duodenum, it is called a duodenal ulcer. Peptic ulcers are relatively common, with about 10 percent of people developing a peptic ulcer at some point in their life. Bleeding ulcers may produce dark stools, and if left untreated, ulcers can become deeper and lead to stomach perforation, a serious condition.