Peptic Ulcer Disease Basics

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Ulcers form when the protective mucous barrier of the GI lining is damaged, allowing stomach acid to erode the tissue underneath. The two most common causes are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and chronic use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), which reduce protective prostaglandin production. Duodenal ulcers are more common and typically cause burning epigastric pain that improves with eating, while gastric ulcers cause pain that worsens with eating.