Peptic Ulcer Disease
What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors you can control
The following things can increase your chance of getting a peptic ulcer and may slow the healing of an ulcer you already have:
- Reference Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include including aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil), and naproxen (such as Aleve).
- Reference Smoking.
- Drinking Reference too much alcohol Opens New Window. This is more than 2 drinks a day for men and more than 1 drink a day for women.
In the past, spicy foods, caffeine, and moderate amounts of alcohol were thought to increase ulcer risk. This is no longer believed to be true.
Risk factors you cannot control
Some things that you cannot control may increase your risk of getting an ulcer. These include:
- A Reference Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, the most common cause of ulcers.
- Physical stress caused by a serious illness or injury (such as a major trauma, surgery, or the need to be on a ventilator to assist breathing).
- Hypersecretory condition, in which your stomach produces too much acid.
- A personal or family history of ulcers.
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