Which symptom is characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

The symptom characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is burning stomach pain that subsides immediately after eating. This occurs because eating can temporarily buffer stomach acid and provide relief to the inflamed lining of the stomach or duodenum where the ulcer is located.

Individuals with PUD often experience a gnawing or burning pain in the stomach area, particularly between meals when stomach acid production is at its peak. The pain may intensify when the stomach is empty and can improve with food or antacids, which is crucial for recognizing the condition.

Other symptoms, such as passage of bright red blood in the stool, indicate more severe complications, like gastrointestinal bleeding, but are not characteristic of PUD itself without other symptoms. Similarly, sharp pain located in both lower abdominal quadrants could suggest conditions such as appendicitis or diverticulitis rather than PUD. Relief after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is also not typical for PUD, as these medications can actually irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate ulcer symptoms.