Causes of Gastric Ulcer

Gastric ulcer is basically due to the imbalanced secretion of stomach enzymes and acids as well as the components released in the mucosal lining of the stomach. This then will get inflamed that may be aggravated by aspirin and NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. NSAIDs are commonly taken to combat the symptoms of other ailments such as back pain and kidney pain. Interestingly enough, stress and a number of emotional problems are not labeled as risk factors to gastric ulcer. Yet there are studies that may show otherwise. They point out that stress may be a contributing factor to the aggravation of the ailment.

Ulcers are a painful introduction to one''s life and will require huge changes in lifestyle to reduce the pain and alleviate the condition. Of course, this is only of any worth, if the patient knows that they have an ulcer, if he/she is unaware as to how to recognize the symptoms of a gastric ulcer then the condition will only get a lot worse. Abdominal pain is usually the most common symptom that an ulcer may be present. The pain can last a long time, sometimes up to several hours, or it could only appear as a stabbing pain and disappear as quickly as it arrived.

Gastric Ulcers are caused when there is an imbalance between the amount of stomach acid the body is secreting and an enzyme called Pepsin and the natural defenses of the stomach lining (known as mucosal). There is a spiral shaped bacteria living in the acid environment of the stomach (Heliobacter Pylori Bacterium) which can also cause gastric ulcers. On the other hand, physical stress and insufficiencies can facilitate the development of gastric ulcer.

Gastric ulcer occurs due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which eventually damage the protective tissue that surrounds the stomach. The presence of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori also contributes to developing gastric ulcer. Furthermore, the ulcer is aggravated by the misuse of certain anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. In the past, it was thought that emotional distress was also a cause of gastric ulcer.

However, this theory has been contradicted by recent medical research results.

Gastric ulcer is not caused by spicy food, stress, or alcohol, it is caused by bacteria called Helobacter pylori, but billions of people are carrying this bacteria, because it is transmitted through food, drink, or contact with someone infected. So, many of us have these bacteria, and if you combine it with spicy food and stress you have gastric ulcer! Recent studies have also shown that anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen and aspirin) seriously contribute to the gastric ulcer''s evolution.

Gastric ulcer usually occurs in the region of the posterior stomach wall, in the proximity of the pyloric orifice. In the initial stage of the disease, the ulcer appears as a circular lesion with a diameter of 1-2 cm. In the absence of proper medical treatment, the ulcer can expand, causing a wide hole in the stomach wall. This complication is referred to as perforated ulcer and it is considered to be a medical emergency. Along with internal bleeding, perforated ulcer accounts for thousands of annual deaths in the United States.

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