CAUSE:

  Two main causes of ulcers:

•  Pain-relieving 
•  Helicobacter pylori

 H. pylori bacteria

 H. pylori commonly infects the stomach.

 The H. pylori bacteria stick to the layer of mucus in the digestive tract and cause inflammation (irritation), which can cause this protective lining to break down. This breakdown is a problem because your stomach contains strong acid intended to digest food. Without the mucus layer to protect it, the acid can eat into stomach tissue.

 Pain relievers

 Another major cause of peptic ulcer disease is the use of NSAIDs, a group of medications used to relieve pain. NSAIDs can wear away at the mucus layer in the digestive tract. These medications have the potential to cause peptic ulcers to form:

•  Aspirin 
•  Naproxen 
•  Ibuprofen
•  Prescription NSAIDs 

 Acetaminophen  is not an NSAID and won’t cause damage to your stomach. People who can’t take NSAIDs are often directed to take acetaminophen.

 Developing an ulcer from NSAID use  increases if you:

•  Take high doses of NSAIDs.
•  Are 70 years or older.
•  Are female.
•  Use corticosteroids (drugs your doctor might prescribe for asthma, arthritis or lupus) at the same time as taking NSAIDs.
•  Use NSAIDs continuously for a long time.
•  Have a history of ulcer disease.

 RARE CAUSES OF PEPTIC ULCER:

•  Being seriously ill from various infections or diseases.
•  Having surgery.
•  Taking other medications, such as steroids.

 Peptic ulcer disease can also occur if you have a rare condition in which gastric acids are secreted in larger amount. This condition forms a tumor of acid-producing cells in the digestive tract. These tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. The cells produce excessive amounts of acid that damages stomach tissue.

  Does coffee and spicy foods cause ulcers?

 It’s a common misconception that coffee and spicy foods can cause ulcers. In the past, you might have heard that people with ulcers should eat a bland diet. But now we know that if you have an ulcer, you can still enjoy whatever foods you choose as long as they don’t make your symptoms worse.

  Symptoms:

 Some people with ulcers don’t experience any symptoms. But signs of an ulcer can include:

•  Gnawing or burning pain in your middle or upper stomach between meals or at night.
•  Pain that temporarily disappears if you eat something or take an antacid.
•  Bloating.
•  Heartburn.
•  Nausea and vomiting.

 In severe cases, symptoms can include:

•  Dark or black stool (due to bleeding).
•  Vomiting.
•  Loss of weight.
•  Severe pain in your mid- to upper abdomen.

 DIAGNOSIS:

 Your healthcare provider may be able to make the diagnosis just by talking with you about your symptoms. If you develop an ulcer, and you’re not taking NSAIDs, the cause is likely an H. pylori infection. To confirm the diagnosis, you’ll need one of these tests:

 *Endoscopy

 If you have severe symptoms, your provider may recommend an upper endoscopy  to determine if you have an ulcer. In this procedure, the doctor inserts an endoscope (a small, lighted tube with a tiny camera) through your throat and into your stomach to look for abnormalities.

 *H. Pylori test

 Tests for H. pylori are now widely used, and your provider will tailor treatment to reduce your symptoms and kill the bacteria. A breath test is the easiest way to discover H. pylori. Your provider can also look for it with a blood or stool test, or by taking a sample during an upper endoscopy.

 *Imaging tests

 Less frequently, imaging tests such as x-rays and CT-scans are used to detect ulcers. You have to drink a specific liquid that coats the digestive tract and makes ulcers more visible to the imaging machines.

 DOES ULCERS HEAL ON THEIR OWN?

 Though ulcers can sometimes heal on their own, you shouldn't ignore the warning signs. Without the right treatment, ulcers can lead to serious health problems, including:

•  Bleeding.
•  Perforation (a hole through the wall of the stomach).
•  Gastric outlet obstruction (from swelling or scarring) that blocks the passageway from the stomach to the small intestine.

 TREATMENTS:

 If your ulcer is bleeding, your doctor may treat it during an endoscopy procedure by injecting medications into it. Your doctor could also use a clamp or cauterization (burning tissue) to seal it off and stop the bleeding.

 For most people, doctors treat ulcers with medications, including:

•  Proton pump inhibitors : These drugs reduce acid, which allows the ulcer to heal.
•  Histamine receptor blockers : These drugs also reduce acid production.
•   Antibiotics: These medications kill bacteria. Doctors use them to treat H. pylori.
•   Protective medications: Like a liquid bandage, these medications cover the ulcer in a protective layer to prevent further damage from digestive acids and enzymes.

 PREVENTION:

 You may be able to prevent ulcers from forming if you:

•  Talk to your doctor about alternatives to NSAID medications (like acetaminophen) to relieve pain.
•  Discuss protective measures with your doctor, if you can’t stop taking an NSAID.
•  Opt for the lowest effective dose of NSAID and take it with a meal.
•  No smoking
•  Drinking alcohol