What Is an Ulcer?
8. How Are Ulcers Diagnosed?
If you suspect that you may have an ulcer, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. Ulcers don’t usually get better on their own, so treatment is essential. When you arrive at your doctor’s office, your doctor will collect your medical history and perform a physical examination.
If an ulcer is suspected, diagnostic tests will likely be done. These may include looking performing an endoscopy to look directly at the ulcer. X-ray tests can also reveal ulcers in some locations of the body. Another type of diagnostic test includes drawing blood and looking for H. pylori antibodies. Your doctor may also collect a stool sample from you to look for evidence of an H. pylori infection.
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