Causes and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease

The most common cause of peptic ulcer is the corkscrew-shaped bacterium. Helicobacter pylori.(H Pylori) . The bacteria spreads through contaminated food or water. H. Pylori lives and multiples with the mucous layer that covers and protects the tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. Often, it causes no problems. But sometimes it can disrupt the mucous layer and inflame and erode the digestive tissues, producing an ulcer. H. pylori is the most common but not the only cause of peptic ulcers. It is only after H. pylori bacteria injure the protective mucous layer of the stomach, allowing damage by stomach acid, that an ulcer develops. 

Besides H. pylori , other causes of peptic ulcers, or factors that may aggravate them include : 

Pain relievers : NSAIDs inhibit the production of an enzyme ( cyclooxygenase) that protects the stomach lining from chemical and physical injury. Without this protection, stomach acid can erode the lining, causing bleeding and ulcers. 

Smoking : Nicotine in tobacco increases the volume and concentration of stomach acid, increasing the risk of an ulcer. It also slows the healing during ulcer treatment.

Alcohol consumption : Alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of the stomach and increase the amount of stomach acid that is produced. 

Stress : Although stress per se isn't a cause of peptic ulcers, it is a contributing factor. Stress may aggravate symptoms of peptic ulcers and in some cases delay healing. 

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Symptoms of ulcer are variable. Many ulcer patients experience minimal indigestion or no discomfort at all. Some report upper abdominal burning or hunger pain 1-3 hours after meals and in the middle of the night. The burning sensation occurring during the night may be so extreme as to wake up the patient. These pain symptoms are often promptly relieved by food or antacids. The pain of ulcer disease correlates poorly with the presence or severity of active ulceration. Some patients have persistent pain even after an ulcer is completely healed by medication. 

Less often, ulcers may cause severe signs or symptoms such as : 

• Vomiting of blood, which may appear red or black. 
  Dark blood in stools or stools that are black or tarry.
  Nausea or vomiting 
  Unexplained weight loss.
  Chest pain. 

Black or dark stools indicate that the ulcer is bleeding, which is a serious complication. 

Peptic Ulcer Disease
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease
Causes and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Diagnosis and Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease