An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers.

Duodenal ulcers; Gastric ulcers; Helicobacter pylori; H. pylori

New Research:

• Certain strains of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria that cause peptic ulcers, respond to a high-salt diet by becoming more aggressive, according to several studies.
• Cells in the stomach lining contain receptors for H. pylori bacteria. These receptors are also responsible for the inflammatory response to the bacteria.

Overview:

• A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area that tends to develop in one of two places:
  • The lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer)
  • The upper part of the small intestine -- the duodenum (duodenal ulcer)
• Ulcers develop when digestive juices produced in the stomach, intestines, and digestive glands damage the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
• In 1982 two Australian scientists identified H. pylori as the main cause of stomach ulcers.
• Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the second most common cause of ulcers, and the rate of NSAID-caused ulcers is increasing.
• Certain drugs other than NSAIDs may aggravate ulcers.

Risk Factors Include:

• Only about 10 - 15% of people infected with H. pylori develop peptic ulcer disease. Other factors must to be present to actually trigger ulcers.
• Anyone who uses NSAIDs regularly is at risk for gastrointestinal problems.
• Although stress is no longer considered a cause of ulcers, some studies still suggest that stress may predispose a person to ulcers or prevent existing ulcers from healing.