A bleeding ulcer (ulcus sanquinans) is a peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. Ulceration damages the blood vessels in the organ’s wall and causes bleeding in the organ’s lumen. Hemoglobin from the erythrocytes located under the stomach acid become hematin, which colors the feces black (MELENA). Prolonged bleeding from an ulcer leads to anemia. Rarely, if some bigger blood vessels are damaged, bleeding may be profuse and vomiting of blood occurs (HAEMATEMESIS). This might be life threatening and, if it occurs, the condition DEMANDS IMMEDIATE TREATMENT. Other symptoms of peptic disease present during a bleeding ulcer include pain in upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite and weight. A bleeding ulcer can be diagnosed only with endoscopic gastroscopia. Treatment is via pharmaceuticals, but if the bleeding is profuse or it doesn’t stop, endscopic intervention is indicated as the next form of treatment.