What is it?
A peptic ulcer is a hole in the lining of the stomach or
duodenum, usually caused by a
bacterial infection of
Helicobacter pylori. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid and
enzymes, including pepsin, that break down and digest food. A mucus layer coats the stomach and protects it from the acid. Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in muscle contraction and the
inflammation response, also aid in protecting the lining. When these defenses are not performing their job properly, acid and pepsin eat away at the lining, forming an open sore called an ulcer.
H. pylori is a urease-enzyme-producing bacterium that decreases the stomach’s ability to produce mucus, making it prone to acid-damage and peptic ulcers. Although H. pylori infection is found in many people, it does not cause ulcers in all of them. Not all ulcers are caused by these bacteria. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen can also cause peptic ulcers.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of peptic ulcer is abdominal pain that is dull, comes and goes over a period of time, may occur a few hours after eating or during the night, and is relieved by food and/or antacids. Weight loss, bloating and nausea are lesser indicators. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include sharp, sudden, persistent stomach pain, bloody or black stools, or bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
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