How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a duodenal ulcer, the doctor will review the patient's symptoms, medical history and perform an exam. The doctor may order tests such as an upper GI x-ray, in which the patient swallows liquid barium to locate the ulcer on x-ray. The doctor may also order blood tests to look for H. pylori bacteria or anemia and test stool samples to check for blood (which might come from a bleeding ulcer). The doctor may perform an endoscopy, which allows the doctor to view the upper digestive tract, or a biopsy, which involves taking a piece of tissue during an endoscopy and sending it to the lab for tests.