Ulcer meaning in Urdu is alsar (السر) or zakhm (زخم), a sore or open wound. When people say “ulcer” in a medical sense they usually mean a peptic ulcer: a sore in the lining of the stomach (meday ka zakhm) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The two most common causes are H. pylori infection and pain-killers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac. Most ulcers heal completely in 4–8 weeks with the right treatment.
Key points
- Ulcer = alsar / zakhm; stomach ulcer = meday ka alsar; duodenal ulcer = chhoti aant ke shuru ka alsar.
- Typical symptom: burning or gnawing pain in the upper stomach, often related to meals or at night.
- Spicy food and stress worsen symptoms but are not the main causes.
- Vomiting blood or black stool from an ulcer is an emergency.
Table of Contents
- Ulcer Meaning in Urdu: Types of Ulcers
- Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer
- What Causes Peptic Ulcers?
- Ulcer vs Gastritis vs Acidity
- How an Ulcer Is Diagnosed
- Ulcer ka Ilaj (Treatment)
- Diet During an Ulcer
- Complications and Danger Signs
- Urdu Mein Khulasa
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ulcer Meaning in Urdu: Types of Ulcers
| English | Urdu / Roman Urdu | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Peptic ulcer | معدے یا آنت کا السر (alsar) | Stomach or duodenum |
| Gastric (stomach) ulcer | معدے کا زخم (meday ka zakhm) | Stomach lining |
| Duodenal ulcer | چھوٹی آنت کا السر | First part of the small intestine |
| Mouth ulcer | منہ کے چھالے (munh ke chhaale) | Mouth |
| Ulcerative colitis | بڑی آنت کی سوزش اور زخم | Large bowel (a different disease) |
This article is about peptic ulcers. For the clinical details of diagnosis and care at our clinic, see our peptic ulcer treatment page.
Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer
- Burning or gnawing pain in the upper middle abdomen (below the breastbone)
- Duodenal ulcer pain often comes 2–3 hours after meals or wakes you at night, and may ease after eating
- Stomach ulcer pain may get worse soon after eating
- Bloating, burping, nausea and feeling full quickly
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Some ulcers, especially from pain-killers, cause no pain until they bleed
For a symptom-by-symptom guide, read stomach ulcer symptoms.
What Causes Peptic Ulcers?
1. H. pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining. It is very common in Pakistan, spread through contaminated water and food, and is the leading cause of duodenal ulcers. Learn more in H. pylori in Urdu.
2. Pain-killers (NSAIDs)
Ibuprofen (Brufen), diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid and aspirin reduce the stomach’s protective mucus. Taking them often, on an empty stomach or with steroids or blood thinners greatly increases ulcer risk. This is very common in people taking pain-killers for joint or back pain.
3. Other factors
- Smoking and naswar, which slow healing
- Alcohol
- Severe physical stress (major illness, burns, ICU stay)
- Rare conditions that cause very high acid production
Spicy food and emotional stress can worsen symptoms but do not cause ulcers on their own. The full list of causes is covered in what causes a peptic ulcer to form.
Ulcer vs Gastritis vs Acidity
| Acidity / reflux | Gastritis | Ulcer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Acid rising into the food pipe | Inflammation of the stomach lining | An actual sore or crater in the lining |
| Main symptom | Heartburn, sour taste | Upper stomach discomfort, nausea | Burning, gnawing pain; may bleed |
| Seen on endoscopy as | Normal or inflamed food pipe | Red, swollen lining | A clear open sore |
How an Ulcer Is Diagnosed
- Upper GI endoscopy: the most accurate test. It shows the ulcer, allows biopsies to rule out cancer (important for stomach ulcers) and checks for H. pylori.
- H. pylori tests: stool antigen test, urea breath test or biopsy.
- Blood count to check for anaemia from slow bleeding.
Endoscopy is especially advised for people over 45, those with weight loss, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, anaemia or a family history of stomach cancer.
Ulcer ka Ilaj (Treatment)
- Acid-reducing medicine (a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole or esomeprazole) for 4–8 weeks lets the ulcer heal.
- H. pylori eradication: a 10–14 day combination of antibiotics with acid suppression, followed by a test to confirm the infection is gone. Completing the full course is essential.
- Stop or change pain-killers. If you need them, your doctor may switch to paracetamol or add stomach protection.
- Stop smoking and naswar.
- Follow-up endoscopy for stomach ulcers to confirm healing.
Most uncomplicated ulcers heal within 4–8 weeks. Bleeding ulcers are often treated during endoscopy with injections or clips, avoiding surgery.
Diet During an Ulcer
There is no special “ulcer diet”, but these tips reduce discomfort while the ulcer heals:
- Eat regular, smaller meals and do not skip breakfast
- Limit very spicy, oily and fried food if it triggers pain
- Reduce tea, coffee and cola, and avoid them on an empty stomach
- Include yogurt, fruit, vegetables and whole grains
- Avoid lying down within 2–3 hours of dinner
Milk may soothe briefly but can stimulate more acid later, so it is not a treatment.
Complications and Danger Signs
- Bleeding: vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, black tarry stool, dizziness
- Perforation: sudden severe abdominal pain with a rigid belly
- Obstruction: repeated vomiting of food eaten hours earlier
These need emergency care. See our page on GI bleeding for more.
Dr. Omer Hassaan Aftab Ahmad, gastroenterologist in Islamabad, diagnoses ulcers with same-facility endoscopy at G-8 Markaz and treats H. pylori with test-confirmed eradication.
Urdu Mein Khulasa
السر کا مطلب ہے زخم۔ معدے یا چھوٹی آنت کے شروع کے حصے میں زخم کو پیپٹک السر کہتے ہیں۔ اس کی سب سے عام وجوہات ایچ پائلوری جراثیم اور درد کم کرنے والی گولیاں ہیں۔ علامات میں پیٹ کے اوپر جلن، خالی پیٹ یا رات کو درد، متلی اور بھوک کم لگنا شامل ہیں۔ اینڈوسکوپی سے تشخیص ہوتی ہے اور تیزابیت کم کرنے والی دوا اور اینٹی بائیوٹک سے زیادہ تر السر چار سے آٹھ ہفتوں میں ٹھیک ہو جاتے ہیں۔ خون کی الٹی یا کالا پاخانہ ہو تو فوراً ہسپتال جائیں۔
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alsar called in English?
Alsar (السر) is called an ulcer in English. In the stomach it is called a gastric or peptic ulcer.
Can a stomach ulcer heal on its own?
Some small ulcers may heal temporarily, but ulcers caused by H. pylori or pain-killers usually return unless the cause is treated. Proper treatment heals most ulcers in 4–8 weeks.
Is an ulcer dangerous?
Most ulcers are not dangerous when treated, but untreated ulcers can bleed or perforate, which are emergencies. Stomach ulcers are also biopsied to rule out cancer.
Which test confirms an ulcer?
An upper GI endoscopy is the test that confirms an ulcer, allows biopsy and checks for H. pylori.
Does spicy food cause ulcers?
No. Spicy food can make ulcer pain worse but does not cause ulcers. H. pylori and pain-killers are the main causes.
Which doctor treats stomach ulcers?
A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats peptic ulcers, including endoscopic treatment of bleeding ulcers.
Conclusion
An ulcer, or alsar, is a sore in the stomach or duodenum that is usually caused by H. pylori or pain-killers. With an accurate diagnosis and the right medicines, almost all ulcers heal and stay healed. If you have ongoing upper stomach pain in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, consult Dr. Omer Hassaan Aftab Ahmad on 0336 5993116.
