Peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an ulcer that usually occurs in the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It is a fairly common condition, and most people present to the clinic with a burning stomach pain. Histologically, in peptic ulcers, the epithelial lining gets damaged.

Peptic ulcers happen when the acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum. Normally, a thick layer of mucus protects the stomach lining from the effect of its digestive juices. But many things can reduce this protective layer, allowing stomach acid to damage the tissue.

The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Another cause is the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. It is a common myth that Stress and spicy foods cause ulcers, but, Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers but can only make them worse.