Approximately 4 million Americans suffer from peptic ulcer disease. Ulcers occur when the acid present in the digestive tract starts to eat away at the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine. This creates a painful sore that can cause severe abdominal pain. If left untreated, ulcers can cause internal bleeding, serious infections of the abdominal cavity, and scar tissue that can prevent food from passing through the digestive tract.

What Causes Ulcers:

A common misconception is that spicy foods or worrying too much can cause an ulcer. A person develops an ulcer when the stomach produces an excessive amount of acid or when the mucous layer that protects the lining of the stomach is decreased. The most frequent cause of ulcers is a bacteria called H. pylori. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s population is infected with the H. pylori bacteria. Many people don’t realize they are infected. The bacteria can live in the digestive tract for years where it slowly attacks the lining of the stomach. The most common sources of H. pylori infection are close contact with other infected individuals, food, water, and contaminated eating utensils.

Other potential risk factors for ulcers include:

  • Frequent use of aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen
  • Smoking
  • Regular alcohol use
  • Family history
  • Being over the age of 50

Symptoms of Ulcers:

Most individuals with an ulcer complain of a burning sensation in their stomach that is typically worse when the stomach is empty. Other symptoms include:

  • Bloating
  • Heartburn or acid reflux
  • Frequent burping
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea and vomiting that may have a coffee ground appearance

Diagnosis of Ulcers:

The patient’s description of their symptoms will often lead a physician to suspect an ulcer. The doctor may follow up with several tests to confirm the diagnosis:

  • Blood, breath, or stool tests to check for the presence of H. pylori bacteria.
  • An endoscopy that involves inserting a hollow, lighted tube and lens down the throat to allow the doctor to view the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine.
  • A barium swallow or upper GI series during which the patient drinks a contrast liquid and undergoes a series of X-rays.

Treatment of Ulcers:

If tests determine that an ulcer is the result of an H. pylori infection, the doctor will order antibiotic treatment that typically lasts two weeks. Other treatments include proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and medications to coat the lining of the digestive system. Surgery may be required if the ulcer perforates the lining of the stomach, causes serious bleeding, or fails to heal with conservative treatment.

Preventing Ulcers:

The first step in preventing ulcers is to limit lifestyle risk factors by not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and using caution when taking over-the-counter pain relievers. You can also take steps to reduce your risk of H. pylori infection by washing your hands frequently with soap and water and eating foods that have been properly cooked.


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