Direct answer: A stomach ulcer (pet ka alsar) is a sore on the inner lining of the stomach or the first part of the intestine. It causes burning pain, often between meals or at night. Most ulcers heal with the right medicines and diet once the cause is treated. Black stool or vomiting blood needs hospital care the same day. Dr Raman Garg treats ulcers in Bathinda, Punjab, India.
What is a stomach ulcer, in plain words
Your stomach makes acid to break down food. A thick layer of mucus protects the stomach wall from that acid. When the layer weakens, the acid eats into the wall and leaves a raw patch. That patch is the ulcer.
Doctors call it a peptic ulcer. If it sits in the stomach, it is a gastric ulcer. If it sits just after the stomach, in the duodenum, it is a duodenal ulcer. The treatment is almost the same for both.
Symptoms: how an ulcer feels
Many people say "pet me jalan" or "khali pet jalan". Here is what to watch for:
- Burning or gnawing pain in the upper belly, just below the breastbone
- Pain that comes when the stomach is empty and eases a little after eating or taking an antacid
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Bloating, belching, feeling full after a few bites
- Nausea, sometimes vomiting
- Loss of appetite and slow weight loss
Think of a 52 year old farmer from near Rampura Phul. He skips breakfast in the field, drinks strong tea, and has a burning pain by 11 AM. He takes a pain tablet for his knee every day. This is a very common picture: empty stomach, tea, painkillers.
Red flags: go to hospital the same day
Do not wait for the next OPD day if you have any of these:
- Black, sticky, tar-like stool (kala potty)
- Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
- Sudden, severe, stabbing pain in the belly that makes the belly hard like a board
- Feeling faint, cold sweats, very fast heartbeat
- Vomiting again and again with no food staying down
These can mean bleeding or a hole in the stomach wall. Call +91 82641-60001, our 24/7 emergency care support, on the way.
What causes ulcers
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| H pylori germ | A stomach infection that weakens the mucus layer. It causes most ulcers. |
| Painkillers | Regular tablets for joint, back or head pain (NSAIDs such as diclofenac or ibuprofen) irritate the lining. |
| Tobacco and alcohol | They slow healing and raise acid. |
| Long gaps without food | Acid sits in an empty stomach. |
| Severe illness or stress | Seen in very sick patients in hospital. |
Spicy food and stress alone do not usually cause an ulcer, but they can make the pain worse.
How the doctor confirms an ulcer
Dr Raman Garg first asks about your pain pattern, painkiller use, tobacco and past stomach problems. Then, as needed:
- Upper GI endoscopy: a thin camera tube is passed through the mouth, under sedation for most patients. It shows the ulcer directly. A small piece (biopsy) is taken if the ulcer looks unusual.
- H pylori test: a stool antigen test or a test on the biopsy.
- Blood tests for anaemia, if bleeding is suspected.
An ulcer that does not heal in the expected time, or that sits in a person above 45 with weight loss, is always checked with a biopsy. This is routine care, not a reason to panic.
| Test | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Upper GI endoscopy | 2,000 | 3,200 | 5,000 |
| H pylori stool antigen test | 1,000 | 1,600 | 2,000 |
| Biopsy report, per sample | 800 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the number of tests needed, biopsy done during the test, and your health.
Treatment: medicines first
Most ulcers heal without surgery. The plan usually has three parts:
- Acid-reducing medicine (a proton pump inhibitor) for a few weeks
- If H pylori is found, a short course of antibiotics along with the acid medicine. Read more about H pylori treatment in Bathinda
- Stopping or changing the painkiller that caused the damage, with a safer option for your pain
Most patients feel better within one to two weeks, but the ulcer needs the full course to heal. Stopping early because pain has gone is the commonest reason ulcers return. A repeat test after treatment confirms the H pylori germ is gone.
Surgery is kept for complications: heavy bleeding that does not stop with endoscopy, a hole in the stomach wall, or a blockage that stops food leaving the stomach. Full details are on our stomach ulcer treatment page.
| Emergency surgery for perforation or bleeding ulcer | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgery | 70,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,80,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on whether there was bleeding or a hole, your age and other illnesses, and your health.
Stomach ulcer diet: what to eat and what to avoid
Diet does not cure an ulcer, but it keeps pain down while medicines work.
| Better choices | Go slow on |
|---|---|
| Dalia, oats, plain khichdi | Fried pakoras, samosas, heavy parathas |
| Curd, lassi, buttermilk (if they suit you) | Very spicy sabzi and pickles |
| Banana, papaya, cooked apple | Strong chai on an empty stomach |
| Boiled or lightly cooked vegetables | Cold drinks, packaged namkeen |
| Roti, rice, dal in small portions | Alcohol, tobacco, zarda, gutka |
Small habits that help: eat five or six small meals instead of two big ones. Never skip breakfast. Keep the last meal two to three hours before sleep. Take painkillers only after food and only when your doctor agrees.
Common ulcer myths in Punjab homes
- "Milk cools the stomach." Milk gives short relief, then the stomach makes more acid. A glass of cold milk at night is not a treatment.
- "Ulcer comes only from spicy food." The H pylori germ and painkillers cause most ulcers. Spice only irritates one that is already there.
- "If pain is gone, the ulcer is gone." Pain often settles in a week, while healing takes longer. Finish the course.
- "Soda or baking soda fixes it." It gives a few minutes of relief and does nothing for the sore itself.
- "Ulcers always need an operation." Most heal with medicines. Surgery is for bleeding, a hole or a blockage.
Another point worth knowing: ulcers can bleed quietly. A man who feels tired, looks pale and gets breathless on stairs may have slow bleeding from an ulcer and low blood count (anaemia) without ever seeing blood. A simple blood test and endoscopy find the cause.
Cashless insurance
If treatment or admission is needed, our insurance desk arranges pre-authorisation. We work with Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Care Health Insurance, ICICI Lombard, Medi Assist TPA and almost all other major insurers and TPAs. See cashless insurance for gastro treatment.
Patients we see from nearby
People travel to Bathinda from Rampura Phul, Mansa and many other towns of the Malwa belt of Punjab. For every stomach and gut problem we treat, see our gastro treatment in Bathinda hub. You can send your old reports on WhatsApp first and get advice before you travel.
When to see a doctor (box)
See a gastro doctor if burning pain lasts more than two weeks, if you need antacids most days, or if you take painkillers regularly. Go to hospital the same day for black stool, blood in vomit or sudden severe belly pain. This post is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you. Read also: H pylori infection symptoms and treatment and GERD diet.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg, Surgical Gastroenterologist, Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001. OPD Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Last updated: 8 November 2026.