What is peptic ulcer?

What is Gastric Ulcer?What is duodenal ulcer?What is esophageal ulcer?

A peptic ulcer is an opening in the inside layer of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. An ulcer is uncomfortable erosion which forms when some part of inside layer of the digestive system is harmed by acidic digestive juices. 

When a peptic ulcer influence the stomach it is called a gastric ulcer, and when to the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer, when to esophagus called an esophageal ulcer. When the lining of these organs is ulcerated by acidic digestive juices by stomach cells peptic ulcers can form. 


Causes of Peptic ulcers 
Causes of Gastric Ulcer
Causes of duodenal ulcer
Causes of esophageal ulcer


The stomach guards itself from hydrochloric acid and pepsin by creating a mucus coating (that defend stomach tissue), by generating bicarbonate and by circulating blood to the stomach lining to help in cell regeneration and mend. If any of these functions are harmed it can lead to the development of an ulcer.

The main cause of ulcers is the bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach. not like other bacterium, H. pylori is able to twist via the layer of mucous that defend the stomach cavity and connect to cells on the surface of the stomach wall, where it produces urease, an enzyme that produce ammonia.Urease generates matter that neutralizes the stomach’s acid and permits H. pylori to flourish. H. pylori grow weaker the stomach's defenses by thinning the mucous coating of the stomach, making it more vulnerable to the damaging effects of acid and pepsin; inflame the area; toxin nearby cells and generate more stomach acid.Although H. pylori is the chief cause of ulcers,

There are other factors that play a role in ulcer growth. 

These causes are the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),a person's way of life and the stomach's inability to defend itself against digestive fluids, hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox), or piroxicam (Feldene) get in the way with the stomach's ability to generate mucus and bicarbonate

NSAIDs also influence blood flow to the stomach, obstruct cell repair and cause the stomach's defense mechanisms to fail.

Lifestyle reasons such as smoking, drinking caffeine, consuming alcohol and stress are also associated with ulcers.

Smoking and stress lessen the healing of ulcers and makes them likely to recur.

Caffeine arouses acid discharge in the stomach, thus increases the pain of an existing ulcer.

Studies on alcohol consumption and ulcers have been less sure, though alcoholic cirrhosis has been associated to an increased risk of ulcers, and heavy intake of alcohol has been shown to delay the healing of ulcers.

Even though emotional stress is no longer considered to be a reason of ulcers, people with ulcers often account that emotional stress boost ulcer pain. However, physical stress enhances the risk of developing gastric ulcers.