Causes and Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer
Causes and Risk Factors
of Peptic Ulcer
The stomach lining is protected from the strong corrosive effect of gastric acid by a natural mucous barrier produced by cells lining the walls of the stomach and duodenum.
Gastrin in the stomach is responsible for stimulating gastric acid production for digestion. Under normal conditions, the body would produce a sufficient amount of gastric acid and other chemicals required for digestion. Typically, there would be a balance between the amount of gastric acid produced and the mucous defense barrier.
But when the secretion of gastric acid becomes abnormally high, this imbalance causes damage to the stomach lining and duodenum, leading to an ulcer.
Causes of Peptic Ulcer
The two most common causes of peptic ulcer are Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The stomach lining is protected from the strong corrosive effect of gastric acid by a natural mucous barrier produced by cells lining the walls of the stomach and duodenum.
Gastrin in the stomach is responsible for stimulating gastric acid production for digestion. Under normal conditions, the body would produce a sufficient amount of gastric acid and other chemicals required for digestion. Typically, there would be a balance between the amount of gastric acid produced and the mucous defense barrier.
But when the secretion of gastric acid becomes abnormally high, this imbalance causes damage to the stomach lining and duodenum, leading to an ulcer.
Causes of Peptic Ulcer
The two most common causes of peptic ulcer are Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
1. H. pylori Infection
H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers, accounting for 8 out of 10 cases. This bacteria, may spread through unhygienic food and water, disrupts the protective mucous layer of the stomach or duodenum, making the underlying tissues susceptible to damage by gastric acid. This can result in gastritis (chronic inflammation of the stomach walls) and ulcers, and in some cases, stomach cancer.
Around two-thirds of the world’s population has H. pylori
1. H. pylori Infection
H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers, accounting for 8 out of 10 cases. This bacteria, may spread through unhygienic food and water, disrupts the protective mucous layer of the stomach or duodenum, making the underlying tissues susceptible to damage by gastric acid. This can result in gastritis (chronic inflammation of the stomach walls) and ulcers, and in some cases, stomach cancer.
Around two-thirds of the world’s population has H. pylori
2. Use of NSAIDs
NSAIDs are drugs that relieve pain, reduce fever. In high doses, it also has anti-inflammatory effects. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen. Aspirin is prescribed to reduce blood clotting and possibly prevent heart attacks. Many also turn to anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis (joint inflammation), muscular pain and other pain-related problems.
2. Use of NSAIDs
NSAIDs are drugs that relieve pain, reduce fever. In high doses, it also has anti-inflammatory effects. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen. Aspirin is prescribed to reduce blood clotting and possibly prevent heart attacks. Many also turn to anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis (joint inflammation), muscular pain and other pain-related problems.
However, NSAIDs can irritate the protective mucous layer of the stomach and duodenum, leading to corrosion by gastric acid and the development of an ulcer. NSAID use is the second most common cause of peptic ulcers, accounting for 2 out of 10 cases. Precautions to prevent gastric ulcers from NSAIDs include taking them with food or pairing them with antacids to neutralize excessive gastric acid.
2 in 10 cases of peptic ulcer are caused by NSAIDs usage
However, NSAIDs can irritate the protective mucous layer of the stomach and duodenum, leading to corrosion by gastric acid and the development of an ulcer. NSAID use is the second most common cause of peptic ulcers, accounting for 2 out of 10 cases. Precautions to prevent gastric ulcers from NSAIDs include taking them with food or pairing them with antacids to neutralize excessive gastric acid.
2 in 10 cases of peptic ulcer are caused by NSAIDs usage