Facts About Peptic Ulcer; its causes, symptoms and other things you don't know about it!

There are various types of digestive ulcer, the various types are briefly explained below;

• Peptic Ulcer
  Any ulcer that is exposed to pepsin is referred to as peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are found in the lining of your stomach or duodenum. Pepsin is normally present along with hydrochloric acid in the stomach lining.
• Gastric Ulcer
  When a peptic ulcer is in your stomach, it is called a gastric ulcer. The symptoms of gastric ulcers are more specific than peptic ulcer symptoms.
• Duodenal Ulcer
  When a peptic ulcer is in your duodenum, it is called a duodenal ulcer. This type of peptic ulcer develops in the first part of the small intestine. Some of the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are interestingly quite opposite to those of gastric ulcers. Duodenal ulcers are the most common ulcers found in the Western world.
• Esophageal Ulcer
  This type of ulcer occurs in the lower end of your esophagus. Esophageal ulcers are often associated with a bad case of acid reflux, or GERD as it is commonly called (short for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease).
• Bleeding Ulcer Internal bleeding is caused by a peptic ulcer which has been left untreated. When this happens, it is now referred to as a bleeding ulcer - this is the most dangerous type of ulcer. See your doctor immediately if you are showing symptoms.
• Refractory Ulcer
  Refractory ulcers are simply peptic ulcers that have not healed after at least 3 months of treatment.
• Stress Ulcer
  Stress ulcers are a group of lesions (or lacerations) found in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. These are normally only found in critically ill or severely stressed patients.

But the most common of all these is the peptic ulcer which is generally known as Ulcer. According to webMD; Peptic ulcers are holes or breaks in the protective lining of the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine) or the stomach -- areas that come into contact with stomach acids and enzymes. Duodenal ulcers are more common than stomach ulcers. Comparatively rare are esophageal ulcers, which form in the esophagus -- or swallowing tube -- and are often a result of alcohol abuse. Ulcers can occur at any age, although they are rare in children and teenagers.There is no clear evidence to suggest that the stress of modern life or a steady diet of fast food causes ulcers in the stomach and small intestine, but they are nonetheless common in our society: About one out of every 10 Americans will suffer from the burning, gnawing abdominal pain of a peptic (or gastric) ulcer at some point in life.

SYMPTOMS OF PEPTIC ULCER

• The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a gnawing or burning pain in your stomach just below your sternum
• Stomach pains are triggered by hunger and occur between meals and in the early hours of the morning
• Pains can be sharp or dull
• Taking aspirin, or drinking orange juice or coffee can cause pain
• Antacid medication offers short term relief
• Pain can occur when your stomach is empty, or after you have eaten. The type of ulcer you have will determine this
• Pain may be relieved by food intake or with antacids, again depending on the type of ulcer you have
• Frequent burping
• Bloating of the stomach
• Ulcer pain can come and go over long periods of time.

In serious cases, there can;

• evidence of bleeding
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• nausea and dizziness

CAUSES OF PEPTIC ULCER?

Peptic ulcers are usually caused by either Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteria or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H Pylori bacteria are responsible for about four-fifths of all gastric ulcers and 95% of duodenal ulcers, while NSAIDs are known to cause about 20% of gastric ulcers and 5% of duodenal ulcers.

• H pylori
  Over 25% of people in Western Europe and North America carry H pylori. Experts are not certain why the bacteria do not cause ulcers in all people who carry H pylori. The bacterium spreads through food and water. As it is present in human saliva it can spread through mouth-to-mouth contact, such as kissing. It lives in the mucus that coats the lining of the stomach and duodenum and produces urease, an enzyme that neutralizes stomach acid by making it less acidic. To compensate for this the stomach makes more acid, which irritates the stomach lining.
  H pylori also weakens the defense system of the stomach and causes inflammation. Patients with peptic ulcers caused by H pylori need treatment to get rid of the bacterium from the stomach to prevent recurrences.


• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  These are medications for headaches, period pains, and other minor pains. Examples are aspirin and ibuprofen. Many NSAIDs are Over The Counter (OTC) medications, while others, such as diclofenac, naproxen and meloxicam can only be acquired with a doctor's prescription.
  NSAIDs lower the stomach's ability to make a protective layer of mucus, making it more susceptible to damage by stomach acids. NSAIDs can also affect the flow of blood to the stomach, undermining the body's ability to repair cells.


• Genetics - a significant number of individuals with peptic ulcers have close relatives with the same problem, suggesting that genetic factors may also be involved.


• Smoking - people who regularly smoke tobacco are more likely to develop peptic ulcers compared to non-smokers.


• Alcohol consumption - regular heavy drinkers of alcohol have a higher risk of developing peptic ulcers.


• Mental stress - mental stress has not been linked to the development of new peptic ulcers. However, people with ulcers who experience sustained mental stress tend to have worse symptoms.

 FACTS ABOUT PEPTIC ULCER

• Up to 90% of all types of stomach ulcers are caused by infections of Helicobacter Pylori, and NOT by spicy foods or by stress. 
• Helicobacter Pylori can easily be transmitted from person to person by kissing, and also through sexual contact. 
• In poorer countries, 50% of the population are infected with H. pylori in childhood, and up to 90% of adult populations are also infected. 
• The World Health Organization reported that H. pylori is present in 50% of all new gastric cancer cases. 
• Approximately 1 in every 8 people will develop duodenal ulcers or stomach ulcers in their lifetime. 
• Stomach Ulcers affect more than 5 million people each year in the USA alone.
• Every year over 300,000 people round the world have ulcer related surgery because of persistent symptoms or complications. 
• Each year nearly 6,000 people die of ulcer-related complications in the USA alone.
• Another major cause of ulcers is the prolonged use of aspirin and other painkillers, commonly known as NSAID's.
• Nearly 3 in every 4 gastric ulcers are caused by H. pylori.
• 30% of people aged between 30 - 40 years are infected with H. pylori, as are 40% of people aged between 40 - 50 years being infected, and 50% of people aged between 50 - 60 years being infected, and so on.
• People of any age can suffer from ulcers. 
• Women are just as prone to stomach ulcers as men are.  
• Peptic ulcers will affect nearly 1 in 10 of all adults in Western countries. 
• About 1 in every 20 gastric ulcers lead to stomach cancer. 
• Duodenal ulcers may occur in adults of any age. 
• Gastric ulcers affect mainly adults older than 40 years. 
• The older you get, the more prone you will become to H. pylori infection.