• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Peptic ulcer

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

A peptic ulcer is erosion in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The word “peptic” refers to pepsin, a stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins. If a peptic ulcer is located in the stomach it is called a gastric ulcer .

Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Large ulcers can cause serious bleeding. Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole that goes all the way through is called a perforation of the intestinal lining. A perforation is a medical emergency.

Alternative Names:

Ulcer - peptic; Ulcer - duodenal or gastric; Duodenal ulcer

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines have protection against the irritating acids produced in your stomach. For a variety of reasons, the protective mechanisms may become faulty, leading to a breakdown of the lining. This results in inflammation ( gastritis ) or an ulcer.

The most common cause of such damage is infection of the stomach with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) . Most people with peptic ulcers have this organism living in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. On the other hand, many people have this organism living in their GI tract but they don't get an ulcer.

Other factors can make it more likely for you to get an ulcer, including:

• Using aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
• Drinking alcohol excessively
• Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco

In addition, if you have a family history of ulcers or you are blood type O, you are more likely to get a duodenal ulcer. There is also a rare condition called Zolliger-Ellison syndrome in which a tumor in the pancreas secretes a substance that causes ulcers throughout the stomach and duodenum.

Many people believe that stress causes ulcers. It is not clear if this is true. While critically ill patients who are on a breathing machine are at risk of so-called “stress ulceration,” everyday stress at work or home doesn't appear to cause peptic ulcers.

References:

Spechler, SJ. Peptic Ulcers. In: Feldman, M, Friedman, LS, Sleisenger, MH, eds. Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease , 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA; WB Saunders Company; 2002:747-772.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001:910-918.

Mahachai V, Thomson AB, Vilaichone RK. Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAIDs on the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding. J Med Assoc Thai . 2004 Sep;87 Suppl 2:S295-9. Review.

• Review Date: 5/3/2007
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.