A peptic ulcer is a sore that develops in the lining of the lower part of your esophagus for

various parts of your stomach or small intestine. A peptic ulcer in your esophagus is called an
esophageal ulcer, in your stomach it is called a gastric ulcer, when the ulcer affects the first
part of your small intestine called the duodenum it is called a duodenal ulcer. When you eat
your stomach produces highly acidic digestive juices also known as stomach acid to help break
down food, then the food passes into your duodenum for further digestion and subsequent
absorption into the bloodstream to protect your organs from the corrosive effects of stomach
acid, a layer of mucus coats the lining of your stomach and duodenum. When the proctive
mucus layer breaks down stomach acid can seep into the lining of your stomach or duodenum
and cause an ulcer. Most peptic ulcers are caused by the bacteria Helicobater pylori also known
as H. pylori. Scientists think these bacteria may enter your body through contaminated food or
water or through close contact with an infected person. Once inside your body, they lodge in
the mucous layer of your stomach or duodenum. As the bacteria grow, they damage the mucous
layer allowing stomach acid to reach the stomach or duodenum lining together the bacteria and
stomach acid cause an ulcer. Some peptic ulcers are linked to heavy usage of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs also known as NSAIDs including aspirin and ibuprofen, these drugs
reduce the ability of your stomach and duodenum to protect themselves from the effects of
stomach acid. Your doctor may presribe one or a combination of drugs to treat your peptic
ulcer if H. pylori is the cause of your ulcer, you will take antibiotics to kill the bacteria, if your
ulcer is due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs your doctor will recommend you stop or
limit your use of these drugs for a gastric ulcer, you may be given a proton pump inhibitor also
known as ppito decrease acid production in your stomach, for a duodenal ulcer you may be
given a histamine type 2 receptor antagonist commonly known as an H2 blocker to reduce the
amount of acid secreted in your stomach, in addition your doctor may recommend medications
to coat and protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum until the ulcer has healed, these
include sucralfate, misoprostol and bismuth subsalicylate commonly known as pepto-bismol.
You may need surgery for an ulcer that does not heal with medication or you may need surgery
for an ulcer that goes away with treatment thaen comes back.
You may need an operaton for an ulcer that bleeds. If your ulcer breaks through or perforates
the wall of your stomach or duodenum, you may need surgery to repair the damage, you may
also need surgery for an ulcer that blocks food from moving out of your stomach. If you have
one or more of these complications, your doctor may recommend one of the following three
surgical procedures: a vagotomy, antrectomy, or pyloroplasty. In a vagotomy, your surgeon
will cut part of your vagus nerve through this nerve your brain tells your stomach to release
acid, after your surgeon cuts the nerve your stomach will secrete less acid. In antrectomy your
surgen will remove the lower part of your stomach which is called the antrum, the antrum
signals your stomach to release acid. Once it is removed, your stomach releases less acid, if
your ulcer is blocking the exit of food from your stomach, your surgeon may perform a
pyloroplasty, during this procedure your surgeon will widen the pylorus which is the opening
between your stomach and duodenum allowing food to pass through more easily. While your
ulcer heals, you should avoid alcohol and ciggarettes as they can slow the healing process and
may make your ulcer wors. A few weeks after treatment, your doctor may perform an
endoscopy which is a procedure to look inside your upper digestive tract to be sure your ulcer
has healed