Why ulcers are caused

And take good care of your body by exercising regularly and not smoking or drinking. Reviewed by: J. Fernando del Rosario, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is an Ulcer?

Peptic ulcers are common, but mostly affect adults. Most can be cured. What Causes an Ulcer? Most peptic ulcers are caused by: bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or H.

They weaken the protective coating of the stomach and upper small intestine. Acid in the stomach then gets through to the sensitive lining underneath.

Acid and bacteria irritate this lining, causing ulcers. These medicines fight inflammation and help treat long-term, painful conditions like arthritis. Smoking increases the risk of ulcers because nicotine causes the stomach to make more acid. Drinking a lot of alcohol each day for a period of time can also increase a person's risk of ulcers.

Over time, alcohol can wear down the lining of the stomach and intestines. How Are Ulcers Diagnosed? Read on to learn about easy stomach ulcer home remedies…. Peptic ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine. Stomach ulcers are a relatively common and irritating medical condition. This article lists 9 scientifically backed natural ulcer remedies. Gastric tissue biopsy is the examination of tissue removed from the stomach.

The tissue is placed in a special dish to see if bacteria or other…. Helicobacter pylori H. You can get it though…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. What is a stomach ulcer? What causes stomach ulcers? Symptoms of stomach ulcers. How are stomach ulcers diagnosed? Treating stomach ulcers.

Healthful diet. Home remedies for stomach ulcers. When should you call or see a doctor? Prevention of stomach ulcers. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Stomach Ulcer Diet. Natural and Home Remedies for Ulcers. Peptic Ulcer. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Gastric Tissue Biopsy and Culture. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.

Pylori Contagious? Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour taste in the throat and mouth. Stomach cancer is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Food Poisoning. Acute Bronchitis. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Bursitis of the Hip. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. High Blood Pressure. Home Diseases and Conditions Ulcers. Table of Contents. What is an ulcer? Symptoms of an ulcer Common ulcer symptoms include: Discomfort between meals or during the night duodenal ulcer Discomfort when you eat or drink gastric ulcer Stomach pain that wakes you up at night Feel full fast Bloating, burning or dull pain in your stomach Comes and goes days or weeks at a time The discomfort lasts for minutes or hours If your ulcer becomes perforated torn , it becomes a bleeding ulcer.

This can cause the following symptoms: Nausea Vomiting blood Unexpected weight loss Blood in your stool or dark stools Pain in your back. What causes an ulcer? How is an ulcer diagnosed? Can an ulcer be prevented or avoided? Ulcer treatment Your doctor will give you an antibiotic medicine to treat an H. Living with an ulcer If you have an ulcer, avoid the things that make your ulcer pain worse. Questions to ask your doctor How can I tell the difference between an ulcer and the stomach flu?

Where is my ulcer located? Am I at risk of getting multiple ulcers? What are the side effects of ulcer medicines? Are ulcers a sign of another health condition?