This burning pain can last for minutes or hours, and it is no fun while it’s attacking, as acid washes over the ulcer and aggravates it. The condition may disappear for days or weeks, but eventually, it will return to sap strength and cause lost sleep. Eventually, if the sufferer experiences several nights in a row of stomach pain, that can cause lost productivity, inattention, inability to concentrate, and mistakes or accidents.

Because the pain can disappear for long stretches, many people will rely on antacids and soothing products like milk, which coats the stomach and cools the symptom. But that’s only buying time and won't heal the ulcer.

The pain can occur even on an empty stomach and sometimes can be felt from the navel to the breastbone area. In severe cases, ulcer sufferers may vomit red or black blood; notice dark, black or tarry stools; experience extreme nausea; have a change in appetite; and experience unexplained weight loss.

Five Things That Can Aggravate Ulcers

If you suspect that you have an ulcer, stay away from these five factors that may cause it to act up:

1)    Alcohol – The sting of alcohol can aggravate the sore spot in the stomach, and any mixers like soda or citrus juice can increase stinging. It’s like pouring salt on an open wound.

2)    Smoking – This habit reduces the immune system and generally increases any existing problems in the body.

3)    Spicy foods – While this isn’t the cause of an ulcer, the flavors that provide the spice can aggravate the sore spot in the body. No one would pour pepper sauce on an open wound, but that’s exactly what happens when ingesting something spicy with an ulcer present.