Stomach Sore?

Here’s how you can avoid the discomfort of peptic ulcer disease...

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“Older peptic ulcers and their complications because they are more likely to take medications that have been implicated in the formation of peptic ulcers,” says Brijen Shah, MD, associate professor of medicine at Mount Sinai. “They also may be more likely to carry a bacteria that can cause ulcers.” Peptic ulcer disease can take the form of a gastric ulcer (a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach) or a duodenal ulcer (a sore that develops in the first section of the small intestine). Gastric ulcers can occur anywhere in the stomach, but are most common in the lower part, while duodenal ulcers occur in the first few inches of the small intestine (duodenum).

THE ROLE OF HPYLORI

In the past, it was thought that ulcers were caused by stress, spicy foods, or an overabundance of stomach acid. It’s now known that one of the main causes is infection with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). H pylori bacteria are able to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach because they secrete enzymes that neutralize the acid. The bacteria can also burrow deep into the thick layer of mucus that coats the lining of the stomach. “This mucus layer is essential for protecting the tissue beneath from being damaged by stomach acid,” Dr Shah notes. “However, if the mucus layer is breached by H pylori bacteria, stomach acid can seep through and irritate the sensitive tissue underneath, causing inflammation. Once inflammation occurs, continued irritation from acid and bacteria can lead to an ulcer.”