What
is a Stomach Ulcer? A
stomach ulcer (also called a peptic ulcer) is
a small erosion (hole) in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common type, duodenal,
occurs in the first 12 inches of small intestine beyond the stomach. Ulcers that
form in the stomach are called gastric ulcers. An ulcer is not
contagious or cancerous. Duodenal ulcers
are almost always benign, while stomach ulcers may become malignant. Stomach
ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. The size of a
stomach ulcer can range between 1/8 of an inch to 3/4 of an inch. 
Find out more information about the stomach, or view
it in relation to other organs in the body. Children
develop stomach ulcers too.
Stomach Ulcers may be a symptom of another disease or condition. Stomach ulcers are often
common in mastocytosis. Bleeding from stomach ulcers
may cause iron deficiency anemia.
What
causes Stomach Ulcers?
The
direct cause of peptic ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal
mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric acid, an acid normally present in
the digestive juices of the stomach. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter
pylori is thought to play an important role in causing both gastric and duodenal
ulcers. Helicobacter pylori may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated
food and water. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for Helicobacter
pylori peptic ulcers.
Injury
of the gastric mucosal lining, and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible
for gastric ulcers. Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition,
and psychological stress are important contributing factors in the formation and
worsening of duodenal ulcers. Another
major cause of ulcers is the chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications, such
as aspirin. Cigarette smoking is also an important cause of ulcer formation and
ulcer treatment failure.
Stomach Ulcer symptoms
The
major symptom of an ulcer is a burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach area
that lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours. This pain is often interpreted as heartburn,
indigestion or hunger. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, but sometimes
it may occur below the breastbone. In some individuals the pain occurs immediately
after eating. In other individuals, the pain may not occur until hours after eating.
The pain frequently awakens the person at night. Weeks of pain may be folowed
by weeks of not having pain. Pain can be relieved by drinking milk, eating, resting,
or taking antacids.
Appetite
and weight loss are other symptoms. Persons with doudenal ulcers may experience
weight gain because the persons eats more to ease discomfort. Recurrent vomiting,
blood in the stool and anemia are other symptoms. What
does a Stomach Ulcer affect?
The
main thing that a stomach ulcer affects is the nerves surrounding it. The nerves
become agitated and cause a great amount of pain. However, stomach ulcers can
cause hemorrhages from the erosion of a major blood vessel; a tear in the wall
of the stomach or intestine, with resultant peritonitis;
or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract because of spasm or swelling in the
area of the ulcer.
Stomach ulcer diets
Stomach ulcer statistics
- About
20 million Americans develop at least one stomach ulcer during their lifetime.
- Stomach ulcers
affect about 4 million Americans every year.
- More
than 40,000 Americans have surgery because of persistent symptoms or problems from
ulcers every year.
- About
6,000 Americans die of stomach ulcer-related complications every year.
Stomach
Ulcer Treatment
Risks
of Developing a Stomach Ulcer
| 
