Ulcers | Diagnosis & Tests

How can my doctor tell if I have an ulcer?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may start you on some medicine before doing tests. This is because ulcers usually feel better within a week or so of treatment. You may not need tests if you're getting better.

If you don't get better, your doctor may do an endoscopy or a special X-ray to study your digestive tract. During an endoscopy, your doctor looks into your stomach through a thin tube. He or she may take a biopsy (a sample of the stomach lining) to test for H. pylori. Blood and breath tests can also be used to test for H. pylori.