SEND THIS ARTICLE TO A FRIEND

Ulcers--small, open breaks or craters in the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract--usually develop in one of two sites. The most common form in the upper portion of the small intestine and are known as duodenal ulcers; less common are those in the stomach itself, which are gastric ulcers. Surprisingly, 15 to 20 percent of bleeding ulcers occur initially without pain.