A gastric ulcer is a peptic ulcer that is located in the stomach. Peptic ulcers are open sores that can develop in the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine and the esophagus. According to the Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse, around half a million people in the United States develop peptic ulcers every year. Upper abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness are the most common symptoms of a gastric ulcer. According to MayoClinic.com, the most common causes of gastric ulcers are Helicobacter pylori, regular use of pain relievers and smoking.
Helicobacter Pylori
According to MayoClinic.com, Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, can cause gastric ulcers. H. pylori are bacteria that are responsible for most gastric ulcers, notes the website. H. pylori usually live and grow in the mucus layer covering and protecting the tissue lining the stomach. Although H. pylori usually does not cause any problems, the bacteria can sometimes disrupt the mucus layer and cause inflammation in the stomach lining, called a gastric ulcer.
Chronic Use of Pain Relievers
According to MayoClinic.com, regular use of pain relievers can cause gastric ulcers. MayoClinic.com explains that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can cause gastric ulcers by irritating and inflaming the lining of the stomach. NSAIDs include medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen, among many others. MayoClinic.com states that NSAIDs inhibit the production of an enzyme that protects the stomach lining from chemical and physical injury. When this enzyme is not produced, the stomach acids erode the lining, causing gastric ulcers.
People take certain medications for relieving the symptoms of peptic ulcers, but they can make the condition worse. These include medications such as Pepto-Bismol and Alka-Seltzer. Medications called bisphosphonates, which are taken for the treatment of osteoporosis, can also cause gastric ulcers.
Smoking
According to MayoClinic.com, smoking can lead to gastric ulcers. Nicotine, the chemical substance found in cigarettes, increases the production and concentration of stomach acid. This increases the chances of developing a gastric ulcer.
Other Factors
Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause the mucus lining of the stomach to erode and cause gastric ulcers. MedlinePlus states that certain conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can cause gastric ulcers. With this condition, a tumor develops in the pancreas, releasing high levels of a hormone that causes an increase in stomach acid.
