Peptic Ulcer Disease

More than 60,000 years ago, humans emigrated out of the Rift Valley in Africa. And with modern man came the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, that thrives in certain stomach linings causing havoc (i.e. the discomfort of gastritis, the pain of stomach ulcers, the potential life emergency of internal bleeding).

H. pylori is the only organism which is known to be able to thrive in the caustic, acidic environment of the stomach. Stomach ulcers from H. Pylori are usually found in the duodenum and called duodenal ulcers (stomach contents empty into the duodenum; therefore, highly acidic), or in the lower part of the stomach (i.e. gastric ulcers).

A peptic ulcer is a sore that forms in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). An ulcer can cause a gnawing, burning pain in the upper abdomen; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; weight loss; and fatigue. Most peptic ulcers are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). But some peptic ulcers are caused by prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. (NOTE: Tylenol is NOT an NSAID)

What is H. pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. The corkscrew shape helps it to burrow into soft mucus linings. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers. Preceding peptic ulcers the patient may or may not experience symptoms of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining, caused by the irritation of stomach acid. Usually, the stomach is protected from the caustic acid it produces, however, when patients have H. Pylori, the bacteria starts to destroy the protective barrier of the stomach wall.

All Digestive Diseases

Prevalence: 60 to 70 million people affected by all digestive diseases (1996)
Mortality: 234,000 deaths, including deaths from cancer (2002)
Hospitalizations: 14 million—9 percent (2002)