Knowing All You Can About Peptic Ulcer Disease

The stomach and the upper small intestine are both part of the digestive system and peptic ulcer disease is found in both of these areas of the system. Peptic ulcers are sores in the inner lining of the stomach and or the upper small intestine.

The treatment for peptic ulcer disease involves taking medications that are designed to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and also antibiotics to kill any infection that can cause disease.

There are other helpful things you can do to help prevent other ulcers from forming such as quitting if you smoke, limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol, and by reducing stress in your life if possible. Medications such as aspirin or naproxen may also increase your chance of having peptic ulcers.

Symptoms of peptic ulcer include pain in the stomach region, which comes and goes. Peptic ulcers can be serious and should be treated when symptoms are noticed.

Individuals older than 45 who have peptic ulcers will need to have the ulcers tested for cancer as it is rare, but stomach ulcers can contain cancer cells.

Peptic ulcers can develop when digestive juices that are strong break down the intestinal lining or the stomach’s protective outer layer. These juices are strong because they contain hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin.

Treatment can cure a peptic ulcer and the symptoms will disappear.

Peptic ulcers of the stomach are called, "gastric ulcers". Ulcers that form in the upper small intestine are called, "duodenal ulcers".

Peptic ulcers can be caused not only by the juices used in digestion but also by an infection, "Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and also by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs. The infection and NSAIDs can break down the stomach or intestine’s protective mucus layer that prevents the digestive juices from damaging the stomach or the intestine.

What does a peptic ulcer feel like?

An individual may feel a burning, aching, or gnawing pain that can be felt from between the belly button (the naval) and the breastbone. Some individuals experience back pain. The feelings can last from just a few moments to a few hours. The feelings may come and go for weeks. Individual can also have pain that subsides after an antacid or acid reducer medication is taken. Others may experience a loss of appetite, or have weight loss, bloating or nausea after eating. Individuals may also have material in vomit that looks like blood, or coffee grounds or they may pass black stools that look like tar or have streaks of dark red blood in them. Some individuals have peptic ulcers but have no symptoms at all.

A doctor's exam and the questions asked beforehand will help to make the diagnosis of peptic ulcers. The doctor may also do an endoscopy or a tissue biopsy if necessary.