Peptic Ulcer

In the digestive system, ulcer comprises the area where the tissue has been destroyed by gastric juices and stomach acid. Peptic ulcer disease is a general term used for ulcers that occur in the stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) or esophagus. A peptic ulcer is a sore formed due to injury in the gut lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; of the duodenum - a duodenal ulcer; and of the esophagus - an esophageal ulcer.

An ulcer occurs when the body’s acidic digestive juices, which are secreted by the stomach cells, erode the lining of these organs. Thus, the mucous membrane lining of the digestive tract is damaged causing gradual breakdown of tissue.

What are the causes of the peptic ulcer?

The main causes of peptic ulcer are -

1. Peptic ulcer is mainly caused due to an infection by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori - also referred to as H. pylori. It is considered the primary cause of ulcers. This bacterium is found in the stomach, and along with acidic secretions can damage the tissue of the stomach and duodenal, causing inflammation and ulcers.

2. Acid and pepsin - When one eats, the food is partially digested in the stomach and the rest gets carried forward to the duodenum. Our body’s defense mechanisms are such that the stomach can protect itself from the digestive juices in various ways like production of mucus by stomach, which protects stomach tissues, and also the blood circulating in the lining of the stomach protects it. But, when the hydrochloric acid and pepsin enzymes overcome this defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal tract, it causes erosion of the mucosal wall resulting in peptic ulcer.

3. NSAIDs – Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs -

The most common NSAIDs which cause ulcers are aspirin, ibuprofen. Others medicines used to treat several arthritic conditions also lead to the same. They can fail the stomach's defense mechanisms, making it vulnerable to harmful effects of acid and pepsin by reducing the stomach’s ability to produce mucus and bicarbonates, and also reducing the blood flow and cell repair in the stomach lining.

4. Smoking –

Researches show that cigarette smoking increases chances of developing an ulcer. Smoking also reduces the healing rate of existing ulcers and contributes to ulcer recurrence.
 

5. Caffeine –

Caffeine rich beverages and foods stimulate acid secretion in the stomach. Also it can aggravate an existing ulcer.

6. Alcohol –

While no direct causal relationship has been established which goes on to prove that alcohol causes peptic ulcer, but high co-relationship has been found which indicates that people who consume large amount of alcohol are more prone to peptic ulcer.

7. Physical stress –

Physical stress can increase the risk of developing ulcers, especially in the stomach. Examples of physical stress that can lead to ulcers are injuries such as severe burns and any major surgery.

Stomach ulcer

The stomach is a bag of muscle and these muscles crushes and mixes food with the digestive juices like hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Incase the lining of the stomach is damaged from one place or another, the particular acid and pepsin go to work on the lining as they would on food, breaking it down as though to digest it.

An ulcer is considered the breach over the surface of the skin or on the membrane on the lining a cavity such that stomach ulcer. A stomach ulcer is considered the small hole in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common type of ulcer is duodenal and this occurs in the first 12 inches of small intestine that is beyond the stomach. This particular type of ulcers is called gastric ulcers.