What is a Peptic Ulcer?

Peptic ulcers are breaks in the lining of the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Peptic ulcer is the general name for ulcers but they are called gastric ulcers when they are found in the stomach lining and duodenal ulcers when they occur in the duodenum.

Whilst we have known for many years that acid is an important cause of peptic ulcers, it is now understood that, in most cases, infection of the stomach lining with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) usually makes the stomach and duodenum more likely to ulcerate.

Drugs such as aspirin and others used for the treatment of arthritis (e.g. ibuprofen) may damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Because these drugs are known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), the ulcers they cause are called NSAID-induced ulcers.