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What is a peptic ulcer?
A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or
duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of your small intestine.
If peptic ulcers are found in the stomach, they're called
gastric ulcers. If they're found in the duodenum, they're
called duodenal ulcers. You can have more than one ulcer.
Many people have peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers can be treated
successfully. Seeing your doctor is the first step.
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers?
A burning pain in the gut is the most common symptom. The
pain
• feels like a dull ache
• comes and goes for a few days or weeks
• starts 2 to 3 hours after a meal
• comes in the middle of the night when your
stomach is empty
• usually goes away after you eat
Other symptoms are
• losing weight
• not feeling like eating
• having pain while eating
• feeling sick to your stomach
• vomiting
Some people with peptic ulcers have mild symptoms. If you
have any of these symptoms, you may have a peptic ulcer and
should see your doctor.
What causes peptic ulcers?
Peptic ulcers are caused by
• bacteria called Helicobacter pylori,
or H. pylori for short
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen
• other diseases
Your body makes strong acids that digest food. A lining protects
the inside of your stomach and duodenum from these acids.
If the lining breaks down, the acids can damage the walls.
Both H. pylori and NSAIDs weaken the lining so acid can reach
the stomach or duodenal wall.
H. pylori causes almost two-thirds of all ulcers. Many people
have H. pylori infections. But not everyone who has an infection
will develop a peptic ulcer.
Most other ulcers are caused by NSAIDs. Only rarely do other
diseases cause ulcers.
To read the rest
of this excellent article on peptic ulcers, produced by the
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, please
click here: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pepticulcers_ez/index.htm
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