What is a peptic ulcer?
It is a fairly common health problem.
There are three types of peptic ulcers:
- Stomach ulcer – an ulcer that develops inside the stomach
- Esophageal ulcer – an ulcer that develops inside the esophagus
- Duodenal ulcer – an ulcer that develops in the upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum
Causes of Peptic Ulcers
Various factors can damage the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. These include:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) – a bacteria that can cause stomach infection and inflammation
Repeated use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory medications (the risk associated with this behavior is higher in women and people over the age of 60)
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Radiation therapy
- Stomach cancer
Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the navel to the chest, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain may wake you up at night. Small peptic ulcers may not cause any symptoms.
Other common signs of peptic ulcers include:
- Changes in appetite
- Nausea
- Bloody or dark stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
