Peptic Ulcer

A Peptic Ulcer, also known as ulcus pepticum, PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is an ulcer (defined as mucosal erosion equal to or greater than 0.5 cm) of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. As much as 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, however only 20% of those cases go to a doctor. Ulcers can be also caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs. Contrary to general belief, more peptic ulcers arise in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, just after the stomach) than in the stomach. About 4% of stomach ulcers are caused by a malignant tumor, so multiple biopsies are needed to make sure. Duodenal ulcers are generally benign.

A peptic ulcer may be classified base on the location where it may arise. In Stomach (Gastric ulcer), Duodenum (Duodenal ulcer), Esophagus (Esophageal ulcer), and Meckel's Diverticulum (Meckel's Diverticulum ulcer).


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Information derived from acg.gi.org
Information taken from Medline Plus
Information derived from foundationsurgery.com