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Duodenal Ulcer - Peptic ulcer |
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Duodenal Ulcer - Peptic ulcer
Millions of people worldwide suffer from stomach and duodenal ulcers. Peptic ulcers are common. The oftentimes, successful treatment of ulcers takes just a few weeks. Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus. The most prominent symptom of a peptic ulcer is pain. Causes Although stress and spicy foods were once thought to be the main causes of peptic ulcers, doctors now know that many ulcers are caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium was discovered in the early 1980s in biopsy specimens of people who had ulcers and persistent stomach inflammation (gastritis). H. pylori lives and multiplies within the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. Often, H. pylori causes no problems. But sometimes it can disrupt the mucous layer and inflame and erode digestive tissues, producing an ulcer. Approximately one in six people infected with H. pylori get an ulcer. One reason may be that these people already have damage to the lining of the stomach or small intestine, making it easier for bacteria to invade and inflame tissues. H. pylori is a common gastrointestinal infection around the world. In developing countries, it's even more common. Although it's not clear exactly how H. pylori spreads, it appears to be transmitted from person to person by close contact. H. pylori is the most common, but not the only, cause of peptic ulcers. H. pylori accounts for about half of all peptic ulcers. Besides H. pylori, other causes of peptic ulcers, or factors that may aggravate them, include:
When to seek medical advice An ulcer isn't something that you should treat on your own, without a doctor's help. Over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers may relieve the gnawing pain, but the relief is short-lived. With a doctor's help, you can find prompt relief of ulcer pain as well as a complete healing of the ulcer.
Duodenal Ulcer - Peptic ulcer
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