Which ailment is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, with burning stomach pain as a common symptom and often linked to bacteria or NSAID use?

• A. Hemorrhoids
• B. Hepatitis
• C. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• D. Peptic ulcer

Answer: (D)

Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). The burning or gnawing stomach pain described fits the classic symptom pattern, which often occurs when the stomach is empty. These ulcers are commonly linked to infection with Helicobacter pylori or to NSAID use, both of which damage the protective mucus layer and allow stomach acid to erode the lining, creating a sore.

Hemorrhoids involve swollen veins in the rectum or anus and present with rectal bleeding, itching, or pain during defecation, not a stomach lining sore. Hepatitis is liver inflammation with symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, and right‑upper‑quadrant pain, not burning stomach pain from a gastric ulcer. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits but does not involve a discrete sore in the stomach lining caused by infection or NSAID-related mucosal damage.

So the description best matches a peptic ulcer.