Stomach Ulcers |
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An ulcer
is an open sore or wound that is usually
found on the skin or mucous membrane
areas of the body. A stomach or gastric
ulcer is a hole in the tissue lining
the stomach. The term “peptic
ulcer” is used to refer to those
ulcers that occur in either the stomach
or the duodenum (part of the small intestine
leading out of the stomach). Stomach
ulcer is a common condition that affects
millions of Americans every year.
Causes and Risk Factors
Both
gastric (stomach) and duodenal (affecting
the duodenum) ulcers are primarily the
result of a bacterial infection caused
by Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) bacteria.
These bacteria damage the protective
coating or the lining of the stomach
and small intestine. Stomach ulcers
occur when the lining of the stomach
or duodenum is punctured by the acidic
digestive juices. Therefore, bacteria
and acids are jointly responsible for
stomach ulcers.
Stomach
ulcers may also be caused by other factors
such as:
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Nonsteroidal
Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
These drugs attack the stomach lining
and allow the acids to permeate
the stomach/duodenum walls. If you
use anti-inflammatory medication
such as ibuprofen and aspirin, you
have a greater risk of developing
stomach ulcers. |
|
Age:
It is
believed that adults, particularly
those above 50 years of age, have
a greater risk of developing peptic
ulcers. However, children may also
suffer from ulcers as a side effect
of using anti-inflammatory drugs. |
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Smoking
and Alcohol: Smoking
leads to excessive production of
acids in the body, while excessive
alcohol consumption may weaken the
lining of the stomach and small
intestine. If you participate in
at least one of these activities,
you may develop stomach ulcers. |
|
Contaminated
food and water: Although
peptic ulcers are not contagious,
they may spread by sharing food
and water with infected individuals. |
|
Other:
Some
other potential risk factors that
increase the chances of developing
peptic ulcers may be family history,
impaired immunity, excessive secretion
of hydrochloric acid, stress, skipping
meals, and poor healing mechanism. |
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