A peptic ulcer is wound in the inner surface of mainly the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. When it occurs in the stomach, it is also called a stomach or gastric ulcer. According to the National Institutes of Health, NIH, an ulcer develops when there is a breakdown in the normal processes that protect the inner linings of the stomach and intestines against the irritating acids produced by the stomach. There are several possible causes for this breakdown in the protective processes and development of gastric ulcers.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection
The most common cause of stomach ulcers, according to the NIH, is an infection by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. The Mayo clinic says that H. pylori infection is common in the U.S., affecting about twenty percent of those younger than 30 years of age and about 50 percent of those over 60 years. In most cases, the bacteria live harmlessly in the inner surface of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, however, it can cause a disruption in the mucous layer of the stomach and cause an inflammation, leading to the development of an ulcer.
Use of NSAIDs
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney diseases, NIDDK lists the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs as the second most important cause of stomach ulcers. According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs are available both by prescription and over-the-counter and include common pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen and others. Other drugs like Alka-Seltzer and bismuth salicylate, also contain NSAIDs.
The NSAIDs interfere with the protective processes in the lining of the stomach and intestines. NSAIDs do not cause ulcers in everybody, but are more likely to cause ulcers in people who use them for a long time, are over 60 years of age, female or have had an ulcer before. The NSAIDs can also worsen existing ulcers and even cause them to start bleeding.
Smoking and Other Tobacco Use
Nicotine, from cigarette smoking and other tobacco use, stimulates the lining of the stomach to produce increased volumes and concentrations of acid secretions. This can overwhelm the protective processes in the lining of the stomach, leading to the development of peptic ulcers. This could also aggravate existing ulcers. According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking may slow the healing process of ulcers during treatment.
Other Causes
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is another cause of peptic ulcers. According to the NIH, people with this rare condition have a tumor in the pancreas that produces a hormone which stimulates the stomach to produce more acid than necessary, leading to the development of an ulcer. Other factors mentioned by the NIH as risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, radiation treatments and severe illness like those that require requiring breathing machines. The Mayo Clinic adds stress from emotionally traumatic events or circumstances, surgery and other physical trauma like severe burns and injury as other possible causes of peptic ulcers.
