Stages of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers do not follow fixed numbered stages like some diseases, but doctors describe how they develop and heal.

How an ulcer develops

1. Irritation: H. pylori or pain tablets weaken the protective mucus layer, and acid begins to irritate the lining.
2. Inflammation: the lining becomes inflamed (gastritis), causing burning or discomfort.
3. Ulcer formation: the surface breaks down into an open sore that can reach deeper layers.
4. Complication, if untreated: the ulcer can bleed, perforate or scar and narrow the passage.

How an ulcer heals

• With treatment, most ulcers heal in about 4 to 8 weeks.
• Pain often fades within days, but the ulcer may not have healed yet. Finish the full course.
• Scarring can remain after healing.

Endoscopy descriptions

Doctors sometimes use a grading system (such as the Forrest classification) to describe bleeding ulcers and the risk of re-bleeding. This guides whether urgent treatment is needed.

Warning signs of progression

• Black stools or vomiting blood