Peptic ulcer Introduction

Too much stress, too much spicy food, and you may be headed for an ulcer — that was the way the thinking used to go.

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is pain.

Not long ago, the common belief was that peptic ulcers were a result of lifestyle. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or some medications — not stress or diet — cause most ulcers of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). Esophageal ulcers also may occur and are typically associated with the reflux of stomach acid.

Peptic ulcers are common, and oftentimes successful treatment of peptic ulcers takes just a few weeks.