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Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease a fairly common enough occurrence, and you or someone you know has probably suffered from it at some point in their lives. It is characterized by sores, called ulcers. The ulcers eat through the lining of the stomach (or the duodenum), which is part of the small intestine.

Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease

There is no definitive cause of ulcers, but substantial research has proven that ulcers are the result of an imbalance between digestive enzymes in the stomach and the duodenum. The following conditions may lead to ulcers:

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection
• Consistent ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers including aspirin, naproxen (e.g., Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), and ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil, Midol). Even aspirin with a protective coating is still capable of causing an ulcer.
• Overproduction of acid by gastrinomas, which are tumors that grow within the cells responsible for producing acid inside the stomach.

Peptic Ulcer Disease Symptoms

Ulcers may not be symptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they often include the following:

• Piercing or burning pain in the center or upper sections of the stomach between meals or at night
• Bloating
• Heartburn
• Upset stomach

In extreme cases, symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease may be characterized by:

• Dark or black stool
• Throwing up blood
• Weight reduction
• Intense pain in the middle or upper parts of the abdomen

Peptic Ulcer Disease Diagnosis

A physician may be able to diagnose an ulcer without administering any tests simply by discussing the patient's symptoms with them. However, in order to verify this diagnosis, testing is vital. Initially, the physician might request that you take an acid-blocker, similar to those used to treat heartburn, for a brief period.

If symptoms don't subside, the physician may suggest that the patient undergo an upper endoscopy. During this procedure, a tiny illuminated tube called an endoscope is fed through the throat and into the stomach in search of irregularities. This route is usually taken if the patient is exhibiting very severe symptoms.