Peptic Ulcer Disease

The two most common causes of peptic ulcers are:

• Infection with Reference Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) bacteria. Although many people are infected with H. pylori bacteria, only a few get ulcers.
• Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When used for weeks or months, NSAIDs can damage the lining of the digestive tract, causing an ulcer or making an existing ulcer worse. NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.

A rare cause of peptic ulcers is Reference Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In this condition, the stomach makes too much acid, damaging the stomach lining.

Although there is no evidence to prove that emotional or mental stress causes ulcers, it does seem to make ulcers worse in some people. But the connection is still controversial.

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