Can Ulcers Cause Diarrhea?

Introduction: Why Ulcers Require a Whole-Body Approach

Peptic ulcers are often associated with burning stomach pain—but for many patients, they also come with unexpected symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, and digestive upset. At Patients Medical in NYC, we take a root-cause, integrative approach to ulcer care—because your gut is deeply connected to your immune, hormone, and nervous systems.

Instead of masking symptoms with acid-blockers alone, we combine functional medicine, holistic therapies, and conventional tools to heal your gut lining and restore balance.

What Are Ulcers?

Ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of your stomach or upper small intestine due to damage from stomach acid, infection, or inflammation. The most common types include:

  • Gastric ulcers – in the stomach lining
  • Duodenal ulcers – in the first part of the small intestine
  • Esophageal ulcers – in the lower esophagus
    These ulcers form when the protective mucus barrier breaks down, exposing tissue to acid and digestive enzymes.

 

Can Ulcers Cause Diarrhea?

Yes—ulcers can lead to diarrhea, especially when the gut microbiome and digestive system are disrupted. Possible causes include:

  • H. pylori infection: A common ulcer-causing bacteria that also triggers inflammation and diarrhea
  • NSAID damage: Overuse of painkillers harms the gut lining and digestive balance
  • Low stomach acid: Paradoxically, some ulcer sufferers have insufficient acid, leading to poor digestion and bacterial overgrowth
  • Food sensitivities: Often triggered by damaged gut lining, these may lead to loose stools
  • Stress response: Chronic stress affects both stomach acid production and bowel motility

Common Ulcer Symptoms

Ulcers don’t always present with classic stomach pain. Watch for these signs:

Root Causes: Why Did You Develop Ulcers?

Functional medicine helps uncover what’s actually driving your symptoms. Ulcers are rarely just about acid. Common root causes include:

  • H. pylori bacterial infection
  • Overuse of NSAIDs or aspirin
  • Chronic emotional or physiological stress
  • Zinc or vitamin B6 deficiency
  • Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, etc.)
  • Toxic load (alcohol, processed foods, chemicals)
  • Leaky gut and dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria)
  • Low stomach acid and poor digestion

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we use advanced diagnostics to uncover the true cause of your ulcers and diarrhea.

H. pylori breath or stool antigen test

Upper endoscopy (referral-based)

Comprehensive stool analysis (microbiome, pathogens, inflammation)

SIBO breath testing

Food sensitivity and gluten reactivity panels

Intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) test

Nutrient and digestive enzyme levels

Stomach acid (HCl) production test

Integrative Treatments for Ulcers and Diarrhea

We design a personalized, non-pharmaceutical ADHD program tailored to your body, brain, and biochemistry.

Nutritional & Detox Support

  • Anti-inflammatory diet (low-acid, low FODMAP, AIP)
  • Bone broth and glutamine for gut repair
  • Elimination diet to detect triggers
  • Zinc carnosine, aloe vera, and slippery elm for mucosal healing

Herbal & Nutraceutical Protocols

  • DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice)
  • Mastic gum for H. pylori suppression
  • Berberine for microbial balance
  • L-glutamine for intestinal lining repair
  • Probiotics and digestive enzymes

Stress and Nervous System Reset

  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola)
  • Acupuncture
  • Guided meditation and heart-rate variability training
  • Sleep hygiene counseling

IV Vitamin Therapy

  • Vitamin C
  • B-complex vitamins
  • Zinc and magnesium
  • Glutathione for detox

Real Case Study: Linda’s Gut Healing Story

Linda, 46, came to Patients Medical with chronic bloating, daily diarrhea, and a history of ulcers treated with antacids. Despite medication, her symptoms persisted, and she was growing weaker.

We ran comprehensive labs and found:

  • H. pylori infection
  • Low stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes
  • Gut dysbiosis and gluten sensitivity

Her custom plan included:

  • Herbal antimicrobial protocol
  • Gut-healing diet and glutamine
  • Digestive enzyme support
  • Stress-reduction techniques
    Within 10 weeks, Linda’s diarrhea stopped, her energy returned, and her gut lining was healing. Her gastroenterologist took her off all acid blockers.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

 Yes. Especially when ulcers disrupt digestion, affect the microbiome, or are caused by H. pylori, diarrhea can result.

 Not necessarily. We work to reduce dependency by healing the underlying cause and restoring gut function.

 Yes—especially gluten, dairy, and processed food can trigger immune and inflammatory responses that damage the stomach lining.

 Yes. We use evidence-based herbal protocols and personalized nutrition to eradicate the bacteria and support gut recovery.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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