A stomach ulcer is an open sore, or lesion, in the lining of the stomach or upper intestine. The most common sign of a stomach ulcer is abdominal pain, which lasts from a few minutes to several hours and is worse when the stomach is empty, according to MayoClinic.com. Additional symptoms of stomach ulcers include black stool, nausea, vomiting and unexplained weight loss. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that nearly 20 million Americans will have a stomach ulcer in their lifetime.
Bacteria
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most stomach ulcers are caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. The bacteria creates a substance that weakens the mucous membranes of the stomach. The breakdown of the stomach's lining causes the area to be more susceptible to damage from acid and pepsin. Pepsin is an enzyme released into the stomach that breaks down food proteins into smaller components during digestion. The stomach will also create additional stomach acid when bacteria is present. H. pylori is a common bacteria found in the stomach and often causes no complications. MayoClinic.com points out that one in five Americans under the age of 30 and over half over Americans over age 60 are infected with the bacteria. Treatment includes antibiotic therapy using a combination of two or three medications simultaneously.
Pain Relievers
Pain relievers, most commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, irritate and inflame the lining of the stomach and intestine. NSAIDs stop the production of enzymes that produce prostaglandins. Without prostaglandins, stomach acid begins to erode the stomach lining. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen and medications treating osteoporosis known as bisphosphonates can also cause ulcers. When taking NSAIDs, it is highly recommended to eat food or drink a glass of milk to decrease the risk of forming a gastric ulcer.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
A rare cause of peptic ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome causes the stomach to overproduce acid. The syndrome begins when tumors grow on the upper part of the intestine or pancreas; the cause of the tumor growth is unknown. The tumors are made of cells that produce large amounts of gastrin, which cause overproduction of stomach acid. The tumors may be cancerous and spread to nearby lymph nodes or the liver. Too much acid in the stomach harms the lining of the stomach, leading to ulcer formation. Less than 1 percent of stomach ulcers result from Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, reports MayoClinic.com.
