Diagnosis

Your GP may suspect you have an ulcer based on your symptoms. They'll want to know if you're taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and may test you for an Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

You may be referred to hospital for a procedure to look inside your stomach called a gastroscopy.

Testing for H. pylori infection

If your GP thinks your symptoms may be caused by an H. pylori infection, they may recommend one of the following tests:

• a urea breath test – you'll be given a special drink containing a chemical that's broken down by H. pylori; your breath is then analysed to see whether or not you have an H. pylori infection
• a stool antigen test – a small stool sample is tested for the bacteria
• a blood test – a sample of your blood is tested for antibodies to the H. pylori bacteria (antibodies are proteins produced naturally in your blood and help to fight infection); this has now largely been replaced by the stool antigen test

If you test positive for H. pylori, you'll need treatment to clear the infection, which can heal the ulcer and prevent it returning.

Read more about treating stomach ulcers.

Gastroscopy

In some cases, you may be referred for a gastroscopy to look inside your stomach directly and see whether you have a stomach ulcer.

The procedure is carried out in hospital and involves passing a thin, flexible tube (an endoscope) with a camera at one end into your mouth and down into your stomach and the first section of the small intestine (duodenum).

You may be given a mild sedative injection before the procedure and have your throat sprayed with a local anaesthetic to make it more comfortable to pass the endoscope.

The images taken by the camera will usually confirm or rule out an ulcer. A small tissue sample may also be taken from your stomach or duodenum so it can be tested for the H. pylori bacteria.

A gastroscopy is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means you won't have to spend the night in hospital.

Read more about what happens during a gastroscopy.

Page last reviewed: Fri Sep 2021 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020