What potential complication can arise from a peptic ulcer?

Hemorrhage or perforation is a significant complication associated with peptic ulcers due to the ulcerative lesions they create in the stomach lining or the duodenum. These lesions can erode into blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding, which presents as hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (black, tarry stools). In more severe cases, if the ulcer penetrates through the wall of the stomach or duodenum, it results in perforation, allowing gastrointestinal contents to spill into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to peritonitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

This understanding of the potential for hemorrhage or perforation emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcers to prevent these serious complications. Other options, while they may be related to different health concerns, do not directly correlate with the complications that arise specifically from peptic ulcers.