Red Flags & When to Go In Person for Peptic Ulcer (Suspected) - Triage

Audience: adult

A peptic ulcer is a sore that forms on the lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine. Symptoms often include stomach pain, indigestion, and nausea. While many ulcers can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication, some signs mean you should seek in-person medical care urgently. These include severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools. Telemedicine can help you understand your symptoms, provide advice on managing mild cases, and guide you on when to get urgent care. However, it cannot replace physical exams or tests needed to confirm a diagnosis or treat serious complications. If you experience any warning signs, it's important to see a healthcare provider in person. This guide helps you know when telemedicine is suitable and when in-person care is necessary for suspected peptic ulcers.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds — go to emergency care immediately.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools — seek urgent medical evaluation in person.
• Sudden, severe stomach pain or weakness — get emergency in-person assessment without delay.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom discussion and medical history review.
• Advice on mild symptom management and lifestyle changes.
• Guidance on when to seek urgent in-person care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Physical examination or diagnostic tests like endoscopy.
• Treatment of severe bleeding or complications.
• Emergency interventions for acute symptoms.

What is a Peptic Ulcer?

A peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. It happens when stomach acid damages the lining, often due to infection with a bacterium called *Helicobacter pylori* or long-term use of certain pain medicines like NSAIDs. Symptoms may include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, and nausea.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Typical signs of a peptic ulcer include:

These symptoms often come and go and may improve or worsen with eating.

When to Seek In-Person Care: Red Flags

Some symptoms may signal serious problems needing urgent medical attention:

If you notice any of these, go to a healthcare facility immediately.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine can be useful for:

However, telemedicine cannot perform physical exams, endoscopy, or blood tests needed for diagnosis.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Visit

Before your appointment, prepare the following:

This helps the healthcare provider give better advice.

After Your Telemedicine Visit

After your visit, you may be advised to:

Follow the advice carefully and seek immediate care if red-flag symptoms develop.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• List your current symptoms and when they began.
• Gather information on all medications and supplements you take.
• Note any previous stomach or digestive issues.
• Prepare questions or concerns about your condition.
• Ensure a private, quiet space for the telemedicine visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow prescribed medication and lifestyle advice.
• Monitor symptoms and note any changes.
• Schedule in-person visits or tests if recommended.
• Seek immediate care if red-flag symptoms appear.
• Keep a symptom diary to share with your healthcare provider.

FAQs

Can a peptic ulcer heal on its own?

Some mild ulcers may improve with lifestyle changes like avoiding irritants (e.g., NSAIDs, alcohol) and managing stress. However, many ulcers require medical treatment to heal properly and prevent complications.

What causes peptic ulcers?

Most ulcers are caused by infection with *Helicobacter pylori* bacteria or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other factors like smoking, excessive alcohol use, and stress may worsen ulcers.

Is telemedicine enough to diagnose a peptic ulcer?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide care, but it cannot replace physical exams or tests like endoscopy needed to confirm a diagnosis.

When should I go to the hospital for a suspected ulcer?

Go to the hospital immediately if you vomit blood, have black or bloody stools, experience sudden severe stomach pain, or become weak or dizzy. These signs may indicate serious complications.

How are peptic ulcers treated?

Treatment often includes medications to reduce stomach acid, antibiotics if *H. pylori* infection is present, and lifestyle changes. Your healthcare provider will recommend the best plan based on your condition.

Sources

1. Peptic Ulcer Disease — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Peptic Ulcer Disease — Mayo Clinic.
3. Peptic Ulcer Disease Fact Sheet — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Peptic Ulcer — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine education is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional in-person medical care. If you have severe symptoms or red-flag signs, seek urgent medical attention immediately.