For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Causes Of Peptic Ulcer That You Must Know About

The top causes of peptic ulcers can be family history, excess of alcohol consumption, etc, Read to know the top causes of peptic ulcer.

By Sravia Sivaram

Peptic ulcer is a condition in which there is a hole or sore in the stomach lining or duodenum, which is the first chunk of our small intestine.

People of any gender or age can suffer from this condition. Chronic stomach pain is the main cause of ulcer and this can affect the appetite causing nausea, vomiting or bleeding in the digestive tract.

An imbalance of the digestive juices in the stomach or the intestines can cause this disease. There are several causes that can actually give rise to peptic ulcers and we have compiled a list about these in this article for your convenience.

One of the most common symptoms of a peptic ulcers is a burning abdominal pain that extends from the naval to the chest.

Untreated ulcers can lead to various other complications overtime and hence this condition has to be treated without any delay.

In this article, we have mentioned some of the top causes of peptic ulcers. So, read further to know more about the common causes of peptic ulcers.

1. Family History:

1. Family History:

This is one of the common causes of peptic ulcer disease. Having a person in the family suffering from this condition increases the chance/risk of contracting this disease.

2. Helicobacter Pylori Bacterial Infection:

2. Helicobacter Pylori Bacterial Infection:

This is the second most common cause of this disease. This bacteria can be transmitted easily from one person to the other or through close contact. This bacteria can enter the body through water and food; and it often lives in the mucous layer that covers the stomach or small intestine.

3. Alcoholic Beverage:

3. Alcoholic Beverage:

Heavy drinking is a primary factor for this disease. Drinking in excess can irritate the stomach lining and also lead to inflammation. Inflammation increases the risk of getting ulcers and this in turn increases the acidity level in the stomach.

4. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:

4. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:

This is also one of the common causes of peptic ulcer disease. These can inflame or irritate the stomach lining and small intestine, resulting in an ulcer. This is one of the top causes of peptic ulcers.

5. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:

5. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:

This is a rare kind of ulcer, in which the tumours are formed in the pancreas or the upper part of the small intestine. These tumours secrete an excess amount of gastrin, a hormone that leads to excess acid being produced in the stomach.

6. Excess Stress:

6. Excess Stress:

Experts say that stress can increase the chance of peptic ulcers. Prolonged stress has a huge effect on the production of acid in the stomach. It can cause an increased release of acid in the stomach and cause inflammation.

7. High Salt Intake:

7. High Salt Intake:

Too much salt is another cause of peptic ulcer. A diet high in salt can give rise to gene activity in the Helicobacter pylori bacteria and can make it more virulent.

8. Hypercalcaemia:

8. Hypercalcaemia:

This is a condition that leads to an overproduction of calcium. A person suffering from hypercalcaemia has an above the normal amount of calcium. This condition can trigger high gastrin levels that can lead to peptic ulcer disease.

9. Low Levels Of Melatonin:

9. Low Levels Of Melatonin:

This is another cause of peptic ulcer. Low lighting can cause the production of melatonin in the pineal gland. Reduction in the production of melatonin can lead to peptic ulcers. It is one of the common causes of peptic ulcer disease.

10. High Caffeine Intake:

10. High Caffeine Intake:

Caffeine triggers the production of acid in the stomach. Caffeine speeds up the emptying process in the stomach and this leads to high acid levels in the stomach. This can lead to peptic ulcer. This is also one of the major causes of peptic ulcer disease.

11. Lifestyle Factors:

11. Lifestyle Factors:

Certain unhealthy lifestyle factors can also lead to peptic ulcer. Eating at odd hours, stress, high intake of alcohol, etc., are some of the other lifestyle factors that can lead to the development of peptic ulcers.

Story first published: Saturday, June 24, 2017, 10:12 [IST]
Read more about: ulcer