What is the Difference Between Gastritis and an Ulcer?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 22nd, 2026.
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, while an ulcer is an actual sore or hole in the stomach wall. Gastritis affects the protective mucous layer throughout the stomach, causing widespread irritation and symptoms like nausea, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. Ulcers create deeper wounds that penetrate through the stomach lining, typically causing more severe, burning pain that may worsen with eating. About 10-15% of people will develop peptic ulcers during their lifetime. Both conditions often share similar causes like H. pylori bacterial infection, NSAIDs, or excessive alcohol use, but ulcers require more intensive treatment to prevent serious complications like bleeding or perforation.
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