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<p>A <strong>peptic ulcer</strong>, also known as <strong>PUD</strong> or <strong>peptic ulcer disease</strong><sup class="reference" id="_ref-medmag_0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-medmag" title="">[1]</a></sup> is an <a title="Ulcer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulcer" title="Ulcer">ulcer</a> of an area of the <a title="Gastrointestinal tract" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrointestinal_tract" title="Gastrointestinal tract">gastrointestinal tract</a> that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. 80% of ulcers are associated with <em><a title="Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori">Helicobacter pylori</a></em>, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, however only 20% of those cases go to a doctor (for it is not a dangerous case if caught in time and can be treated with surgery). Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as <a title="Aspirin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin" title="Aspirin">Aspirin</a> and other <a title="NSAID" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAID" title="NSAID">NSAIDs</a>. Contrary to general belief, more peptic ulcers arise in the <a title="Duodenum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duodenum" title="Duodenum">duodenum</a> (first part of the <a title="Small intestine" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_intestine" title="Small intestine">small intestine</a>, just after the stomach) than in the <a title="Stomach" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach" title="Stomach">stomach</a>. About 4% of stomach ulcers are caused by a <a title="Malignant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant" title="Malignant">malignant</a> tumor, so multiple biopsies are needed to make sure. Duodenal ulcers are generally <a title="Benign" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign" title="Benign">benign</a>.</p><table summary="Contents" class="toc" id="toc"> <tbody> <tr> <td><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[ if (window.showTocToggle) { var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); } //]]></script><p><a idname="Classification" nameid="Classification"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Classification</span></h2>
<p>A peptic ulcer may arise at various locations:</p>
<ul>
<li><a title="Stomach" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach" title="Stomach">Stomach</a> (called <strong>gastric ulcer</strong>)</li> <li><a title="Duodenum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duodenum" title="Duodenum">Duodenum</a> (called <strong>duodenal ulcer</strong>)</li> <li><a title="Esophagus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophagus" title="Esophagus">Esophagus</a> (called <strong>esophageal ulcer</strong>)</li> <li>A <a title="Meckel's diverticulum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meckel%27s_diverticulum" title="Meckel's diverticulum">Meckel's diverticulum</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a idname="Signs_and_symptoms" nameid="Signs_and_symptoms"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Signs and symptoms</span></h2>
<p>Symptoms of a peptic ulcer can be:</p>
<ul>
<li><a title="Abdominal pain" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_pain" title="Abdominal pain">Abdominal pain</a>, classically epigastric with severity relating to mealtimes, after around 3 hours of taking a meal (duodenal ulcers are classically relieved by food, while gastric ulcers are exacerbated by it);</li>
<li>Bloating and abdominal fullness</li>
<li><a title="Waterbrash" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterbrash" title="Waterbrash">Waterbrash</a> (rush of saliva after an episode of regurgitation to dilute the acid in esophagus)</li>
<li>Nausea, and lots of vomiting</li>
<li>Loss of appetite and weight loss;</li>
<li><a title="Hematemesis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematemesis" title="Hematemesis">Hematemesis</a> (vomiting of blood); if the blood is just streaks, then the esophagus probably got hurt from all the vomitting.</li> <li><a title="Melena" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melena" title="Melena">Melena</a> (tarry, foul-smelling faeces due to <a title="Oxidation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidation" title="Oxidation">oxidized</a> iron from <a title="Hemoglobin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemoglobin" title="Hemoglobin">hemoglobin</a>)</li>
<li>Rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation. This is extremely painful and requires immediate surgery.</li>
</ul>
<p>A history of <a title="Heartburn" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartburn" title="Heartburn">heartburn</a>, <a title="Gastroesophageal reflux disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease" title="Gastroesophageal reflux disease">gastroesophageal reflux disease</a> (GERD) and use of certain forms of medication can raise the suspicion for peptic ulcer. Medicines associated with peptic ulcer include <a title="NSAID" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAID" title="NSAID">NSAID</a> (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) that inhibit <a title="Cyclooxygenase" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclooxygenase" title="Cyclooxygenase">cyclooxygenase</a>, and most <a title="Glucocorticoid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucocorticoid" title="Glucocorticoid">glucocorticoids</a> (e.g. <a title="Dexamethasone" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexamethasone" title="Dexamethasone">dexamethasone</a> and <a title="Prednisolone" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisolone" title="Prednisolone">prednisolone</a>).</p>
<p>In patients over 45 with more than 2 weeks of the above symptoms, the odds for peptic ulceration are high enough to warrant rapid investigation by EGD (see below).</p>
<p>The timing of the symptoms in relation to the meal may differentiate between <em>gastric</em> and <em>duodenal ulcers</em>: A gastric ulcer would give <a title="Epigastric pain" class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epigastric_pain&action=edit" class="new" title="Epigastric pain">epigastric pain</a> <em>during</em> the meal, as <a title="Gastric acid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid" title="Gastric acid">gastric acid</a> is secreted, or <em>after</em> the meal, as the alkaline duodenal contents reflux into the <a title="Stomach" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach" title="Stomach">stomach</a>. Symptoms of duodenal ulcers would manifest mostly <em>before</em> the meal — when acid (production stimulated by hunger) is passed into the <a title="Duodenum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duodenum" title="Duodenum">duodenum</a>. However, this is not a reliable sign in clinical practice.</p><p><a idname="Complications" nameid="Complications"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Complications</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><strong><a title="Upper gastrointestinal bleeding" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_gastrointestinal_bleeding" title="Upper gastrointestinal bleeding">Gastrointestinal bleeding</a></strong> is the commonest complication. Sudden large bleeding can be life threatening<sup class="reference" id="_ref-pmid9391242_0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-pmid9391242" title="">[2]</a></sup>. It occurs when the ulcer erodes one of the blood vessels.</li> <li><strong>Perforation</strong> (a hole in the wall) often leads to catastrophic consequences. Erosion of the gastro-intestinal wall by the ulcer leads to spillage of stomach or intestinal content into abdominal cavity. Perforation at the anterior surface of stomach leads to acute <a title="Peritonitis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritonitis" title="Peritonitis">peritonitis</a>, initially chemical and later bacterial peritonitis. Often first sign is sudden intense abdominal pain. Posterior wall perforation leads to <a title="Pancreatitis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatitis" title="Pancreatitis">pancreatitis</a>; pain in this situation often radiates to back.</li> <li><strong><a title="Penetration" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetration" title="Penetration">Penetration</a></strong> is when the ulcer continues into adjacent organs such as liver and <a title="Pancreas" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreas" title="Pancreas">pancreas</a><sup class="reference" id="_ref-0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-0" title="">[3]</a></sup>.</li> <li>Scarring and swelling due to ulcers causes narrowing in the duodenum and <strong><a title="Gastric outlet obstruction" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_outlet_obstruction" title="Gastric outlet obstruction">gastric outlet obstruction</a></strong>. Patient often presents with severe vomiting.</li>
</ul>
<p><a idname="Stress_and_ulcers" nameid="Stress_and_ulcers"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Stress and ulcers</span></h2>
<p>Despite the finding that a <a title="Bacterial infection" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_infection" title="Bacterial infection">bacterial infection</a> is the cause of ulcers in 80% of cases, <a title="Bacterial infection" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_infection" title="Bacterial infection">bacterial infection</a> does not appear to explain all ulcers and researchers continue to look at stress as a possible cause, or at least a complication in the development of ulcers.</p><p>An expert panel convened by the Academy of Behavioral Medicine research concluded that ulcers are not purely an <a title="Infectious disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_disease" title="Infectious disease">infectious disease</a> and that psychological factors do play a significant role.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-medmag_1" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-medmag" title="">[1]</a></sup> Researchers are examining how stress might promote <em>H. pylori</em> infection. For example, <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> thrives in an acidic environment, and stress has been demonstrated to cause the production of excess stomach acid.</p><p>The discovery that <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> is a cause of peptic ulcer has tempted many to conclude that psychological factors are unimportant. But this is dichotomised thinking. There is solid evidence that <a title="Psychological stress" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_stress" title="Psychological stress">psychological stress</a> triggers many ulcers and impairs response to treatment, while helicobacter is inadequate as a monocausal explanation as most infected people do not develop ulcers. Psychological stress probably functions most often as a cofactor with <em>H pylori</em>. It may act by stimulating the production of <a title="Gastric acid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid" title="Gastric acid">gastric acid</a> or by promoting behavior that causes a risk to health. Unravelling the aetiology of peptic ulcer will make an important contribution to the <a title="Biopsychosocial model" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopsychosocial_model" title="Biopsychosocial model">biopsychosocial model</a> of disease.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-bmj_0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-bmj" title="">[4]</a></sup></p><p>A study of peptic ulcer patients in a Thai hospital showed that chronic stress was strongly associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer, and a combination of chronic stress and irregular mealtimes was a significant risk factor (<a titlehref="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12948263" class="external" hreftitle="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12948263">PMID 12948263</a>).</p><p>A study on mice showed that both long-term water-immersion-restraint stress and <em>H. pylori</em> infection were independently associated with the development of peptic ulcers (<a titlehref="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12465722" class="external" hreftitle="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12465722">PMID 12465722</a>).</p><p><a idname="Pathophysiology" nameid="Pathophysiology"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Pathophysiology</span></h2>
<p><a title="Tobacco smoking" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_smoking" title="Tobacco smoking">Tobacco smoking</a>, <a title="Blood type" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type" title="Blood type">blood group</a>, <a title="Spice" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice" title="Spice">spices</a> and other factors that were suspected to cause ulcers until late in the 20th century, are actually of relatively minor importance in the development of peptic ulcers.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-1" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-1" title="">[5]</a></sup></p><p>A major causative factor (60% of gastric and 90% of duodenal ulcers) is chronic <a title="Inflammation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammation" title="Inflammation">inflammation</a> due to <em><a title="Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori">Helicobacter pylori</a></em> that colonizes (<em>i.e.</em> settles there after entering the body) the <a title="Pyloric antrum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyloric_antrum" title="Pyloric antrum">antral</a> <a title="Mucosa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucosa" title="Mucosa">mucosa</a>. The immune system is unable to clear the infection, despite the appearance of antibodies. Thus, the <a title="Bacterium" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterium" title="Bacterium">bacterium</a> can cause a chronic active <a title="Gastritis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastritis" title="Gastritis">gastritis</a> (type B gastritis), resulting in a defect in the regulation of <a title="Gastrin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrin" title="Gastrin">gastrin</a> production by that part of the stomach, and gastrin secretion is increased. <a title="Gastrin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrin" title="Gastrin">Gastrin</a>, in turn, stimulates the production of <a title="Gastric acid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid" title="Gastric acid">gastric acid</a> by parietal cells. The acid erodes the <a title="Mucosa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucosa" title="Mucosa">mucosa</a> and causes the ulcer.</p><p>Another major cause is the use of <a title="NSAID" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAID" title="NSAID">NSAIDs</a> (see above). The gastric mucosa protects itself from <a title="Gastric acid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid" title="Gastric acid">gastric acid</a> with a layer of mucus, the secretion of which is stimulated by certain prostaglandins. NSAIDs block the function of <a title="Cyclooxygenase" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclooxygenase" title="Cyclooxygenase">cyclooxygenase</a> 1 (<em>cox-1</em>), which is essential for the production of these prostaglandins. Newer NSAIDs (<a title="Celecoxib" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celecoxib" title="Celecoxib">celecoxib</a>, <a title="Rofecoxib" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rofecoxib" title="Rofecoxib">rofecoxib</a>) only inhibit <em>cox-2</em>, which is less essential in the gastric mucosa, and roughly halve the risk of NSAID-related gastric ulceration.</p><p><a title="Glucocorticoid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucocorticoid" title="Glucocorticoid">Glucocorticoids</a> lead to atrophy of all <a title="Epithelium" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epithelium" title="Epithelium">epithelial</a> tissues. Their role in ulcerogenesis is relatively small.</p><p>There is debate as to whether <em>Stress</em> in the psychological sense can influence the development of peptic ulcers (see <a title="Peptic Ulcer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptic_Ulcer#Stress_and_ulcers" title="Peptic Ulcer">Stress and ulcers</a>). <a title="Burn (injury)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_%28injury%29" title="Burn (injury)">Burns</a> and <a title="Head trauma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_trauma" title="Head trauma">head trauma</a>, however, can lead to "stress ulcers", and it is reported in many patients who are on <a title="Mechanical ventilation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_ventilation" title="Mechanical ventilation">mechanical ventilation</a>.</p><p><a title="Tobacco smoking" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_smoking" title="Tobacco smoking">Smoking</a> leads to <a title="Atherosclerosis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis" title="Atherosclerosis">atherosclerosis</a> and vascular spasms, causing vascular insufficiency and promoting the development of ulcers through <a title="Ischemia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischemia" title="Ischemia">ischemia</a>.</p>
<p>Overuse of laxatives is also known to cause peptic ulcers.</p>
<p>A <a title="Family history (medicine)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_history_%28medicine%29" title="Family history (medicine)">family history</a> is often present in duodenal ulcers, especially when <a title="ABO blood group system" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABO_blood_group_system" title="ABO blood group system">blood group O</a> is also present. Inheritance appears to be unimportant in gastric ulcers.</p><p><a title="Gastrinoma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrinoma" title="Gastrinoma">Gastrinomas</a> (<a title="Zollinger Ellison syndrome" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zollinger_Ellison_syndrome" title="Zollinger Ellison syndrome">Zollinger Ellison syndrome</a>), rare gastrin-secreting tumors, cause multiple and difficult to heal ulcers.</p><p><a idname="Diagnosis" nameid="Diagnosis"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Diagnosis</span></h2>
<p>An <a title="Esophagogastroduodenoscopy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophagogastroduodenoscopy" title="Esophagogastroduodenoscopy">esophagogastroduodenoscopy</a> (EGD), a form of <a title="Endoscopy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopy" title="Endoscopy">endoscopy</a>, also known as a <a title="Gastroscopy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroscopy" title="Gastroscopy">gastroscopy</a>, is carried out on patients in whom a peptic ulcer is suspected. By direct visual identification, the location and severity of an ulcer can be described. Moreover, if no ulcer is present, EGD can often provide an alternative diagnosis.</p><p>The diagnosis of <em><a title="Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori">Helicobacter pylori</a></em> can be by:</p>
<ul>
<li>Breath testing (does not require EGD);</li>
<li>Direct culture from an EGD biopsy specimen;</li>
<li>Direct detection of <a title="Urease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urease" title="Urease">urease</a> activity in a biopsy specimen;</li> <li>Measurement of <a title="Antibody" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody" title="Antibody">antibody</a> levels in <a title="Blood" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood" title="Blood">blood</a> (does not require EGD). It is still somewhat controversial whether a positive antibody without EGD is enough to warrant eradication therapy.</li>
</ul>
<p>The possibility of other causes of ulcers, notably <a title="Malignancy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignancy" title="Malignancy">malignancy</a> (<a title="Gastric cancer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_cancer" title="Gastric cancer">gastric cancer</a>) needs to be kept in mind. This is especially true in ulcers of the <em>greater (large) curvature</em> of the <a title="Stomach" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach" title="Stomach">stomach</a>; most are also a consequence of chronic <em>H. pylori</em> infection.</p>
<p>If a peptic ulcer perforates, air will leak from the inside of the gastrointestinal tract (which always contains some air) to the peritoneal cavity (which normally never contains air). This leads to "free gas" within the peritoneal cavity. If the patient stands erect, as when having a chest X-ray, the gas will float to a position underneath the diaphragm. Therefore, gas in the peritoneal cavity, shown on an erect chest X-ray or supine lateral abdominal X-ray, is an omen of perforated peptic ulcer disease.</p>
<p><a idname="Macroscopical_appearance" nameid="Macroscopical_appearance"></a></p>
<h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Macroscopical appearance</span></h3>
<p>Gastric ulcers are most often localized on the lesser curvature of the stomach. The ulcer is a round to oval parietal defect ("hole"), 2 to 4 cm diameter, with a smooth base and perpendicular borders. These borders are not elevated or irregular as in the ulcerative form of gastric cancer. Surrounding mucosa may present radial folds, as a consequence of the parietal scarring.</p>
<p><a idname="Microscopical_appearance" nameid="Microscopical_appearance"></a></p>
<h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Microscopical appearance</span></h3>
<p>A gastric peptic ulcer is a mucosal defect which penetrates the <a title="Muscularis mucosae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscularis_mucosae" title="Muscularis mucosae">muscularis mucosae</a> and muscularis propria, produced by acid-pepsin aggression. Ulcer margins are perpendicular and present chronic gastritis. During the active phase, the base of the ulcer shows 4 zones: inflammatory exudate, fibrinoid necrosis, granulation tissue and fibrous tissue. The fibrous base of the ulcer may contain vessels with thickened wall or with thrombosis.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-pathologyatlas_0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-pathologyatlas" title="">[6]</a></sup></p><p><a idname="Treatment" nameid="Treatment"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Treatment</span></h2>
<p>Younger patients with ulcer-like symptoms are often treated with <a title="Antacid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antacid" title="Antacid">antacids</a> or <a title="H2 antagonist" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H2_antagonist" title="H2 antagonist">H2 antagonists</a> before EGD is undertaken. <a title="Bismuth subsalicylate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismuth_subsalicylate" title="Bismuth subsalicylate">Bismuth compounds</a> may actually reduce or even clear organisms.</p><p>Patients who are taking <a title="NSAIDs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAIDs" title="NSAIDs">nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories</a> (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed a <a title="Prostaglandin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostaglandin" title="Prostaglandin">prostaglandin</a> <a title="Analog (chemistry)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_%28chemistry%29" title="Analog (chemistry)">analogue</a> (<a title="Misoprostol" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misoprostol" title="Misoprostol">Misoprostol</a>) in order to help prevent peptic ulcers, which may be a <a title="Side-effect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side-effect" title="Side-effect">side-effect</a> of the NSAIDs.</p><p>When <em>H. pylori</em> infection is present, the most effective treatments are combinations of 2 antibiotics (e.g. <a title="Erythromycin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythromycin" title="Erythromycin">Erythromycin</a>, <a title="Ampicillin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampicillin" title="Ampicillin">Ampicillin</a>, <a title="Amoxicillin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoxicillin" title="Amoxicillin">Amoxicillin</a>, <a title="Tetracycline" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetracycline" title="Tetracycline">Tetracycline</a>, <a title="Metronidazole" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronidazole" title="Metronidazole">Metronidazole</a>) and 1 <a title="Proton pump inhibitor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_pump_inhibitor" title="Proton pump inhibitor">proton pump inhibitor</a> (PPI). An effective combination would be <a title="Amoxicillin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoxicillin" title="Amoxicillin">Amoxicillin</a> + <a title="Metronidazole" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronidazole" title="Metronidazole">Metronidazole</a> + <a title="Pantoprazole" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantoprazole" title="Pantoprazole">Pantoprazole</a> (a PPI). In the absence of <em>H. pylori</em>, long-term higher dose PPIs are often used.</p><p>Treatment of <em>H. pylori</em> usually leads to clearing of infection, relief of symptoms and eventual healing of ulcers. Recurrence of infection can occur and retreatment may be required, if necessary with other antibiotics. Since the widespread use of PPI's in the <a title="1990s" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990s" title="1990s">1990s</a>, surgical procedures (like "highly selective <a title="Vagotomy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagotomy" title="Vagotomy">vagotomy</a>") for uncomplicated peptic ulcers became obsolete.</p>
<p>Perforated peptic ulcer is a surgical emergency and requires surgical repair of the perforation. Most bleeding ulcers require endoscopy urgently to stop bleeding with cautery or injection.</p>
<p><a idname="Epidemiology" nameid="Epidemiology"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Epidemiology</span></h2>
<p>In Western countries the <a title="Prevalence" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence" title="Prevalence">prevalence</a> of <em><a title="Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori">Helicobacter pylori</a></em> <a title="Infection" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection" title="Infection">infections</a> roughly matches age (i.e., 20% at age 20, 30% at age 30, 80% at age 80 etc). Prevalence is higher in <a title="Third world" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_world" title="Third world">third world</a> countries. Transmission is by food, contaminated groundwater, and through human saliva (such as from kissing or sharing food utensils.)</p>
<p>According to Mayo Clinic, however, there is no evidence that the infection can be transmitted by kissing:</p>
<p>"No evidence indicates that this bacterial infection is transmitted by sharing food or kissing." (<a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.mayoclinic.org/peptic-ulcers/qanda.html" class="external free" hreftitle="http://www.mayoclinic.org/peptic-ulcers/qanda.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mayoclinic.org/peptic-ulcers/qanda.html</a>))</p><p>A minority of cases of <em>Helicobacter</em> infection will eventually lead to an ulcer and a larger proportion of people will get non-specific discomfort, <a title="Abdominal pain" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_pain" title="Abdominal pain">abdominal pain</a> or <a title="Gastritis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastritis" title="Gastritis">gastritis</a>.</p><p><a idname="History" nameid="History"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">History</span></h2>
<dl><dd><span class="boilerplate seealso"><em>See also: <a title="Timeline of peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_peptic_ulcer_disease_and_Helicobacter_pylori" title="Timeline of peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori">Timeline of peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori</a></em></span></dd></dl><p>In 1997, the <a title="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention" title="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, with other government agencies, academic institutions, and industry, launched a national education campaign to inform health care providers and consumers about the link between <em><a titlehref="H. pylori" href="http:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._pylori" title="H. pylori">H. pylori</a></em> and ulcers. This campaign reinforced the news that ulcers are a curable infection, and the fact that health can be greatly improved and money saved by disseminating information about <em>H. pylori</em>.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-2" class="reference"><a title="" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-2" title="">[7]</a></sup></p><p><em><a title="Helicobacter pylori" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori">Helicobacter pylori</a></em> was rediscovered in 1982 by two <a title="Australia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australian</a> scientists <a title="Robin Warren" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Warren" title="Robin Warren">Robin Warren</a> and <a title="Barry Marshall" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Marshall">title="Barry Marshall">Barry Marshall</a><sup class="reference" id="_ref-3" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-3" title="">[8]</a></sup>. In their original paper, Warren and Marshall contended that most stomach ulcers and gastritis were caused by colonization with this bacterium, not by <a titlehref="Stress (medicine)" href="httphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_%28medicine%29" title="Stress (medicine)">stress</a> or <a title="Spicy food" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spicy_food">spicy title="Spicy food">spicy food</a> as had been assumed before.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-4" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-4" title="">[9]</a></sup></p><p>The <em><a title="H. pylori" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._pylori" title="H. pylori">H. pylori</a></em> hypothesis was poorly received, so in an act of self-experimentation Marshall drank a petri-dish containing a culture of organisms extracted from a patient and soon developed gastritis. His symptoms disappeared after two weeks, but he took antibiotics to kill the remaining bacteria at the urging of his wife, since <a title="Halitosis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis" title="Halitosis">halitosis</a> is one of the symptoms of infection.<sup classid="reference_ref-mja_0" idclass="_ref-mja_0reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-mja" title="">[10]</a></sup> This experiment was published in 1984 in the <a titlehref="Australian Medical Journal" class="new" href="http:/http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Australian_Medical_Journal&action=edit" class="new" title="Australian Medical Journal">Australian Medical Journal</a> and is among the most cited articles from the journal.</p><p>In 2005, the <a title="Karolinska Institutet" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolinska_Institutet" title="Karolinska Institutet">Karolinska Institute in Stockholm</a> awarded the <a title="Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Physiology_or_Medicine">title="Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine">Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine</a> to Dr. Marshall and his long-time collaborator Dr. <a title="Robin Warren" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Warren" title="Robin Warren">Warren</a> "for their discovery of the bacterium <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> and its role in <a title="Gastritis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastritis" title="Gastritis">gastritis</a> and peptic ulcer disease". Professor Marshall continues research related to <em>H. pylori</em> and runs a molecular biology lab at <a title="University of Western Australia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Western_Australia" title="University of Western Australia">UWA</a> in Perth, Western Australia.</p><p><a title="John Lykoudis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lykoudis" title="John Lykoudis">John Lykoudis</a> was a <a title="General practitioner" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_practitioner" title="General practitioner">general practitioner</a> in <a title="Greece" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece">title="Greece">Greece</a> who treated patients from <a title="Peptic ulcer disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptic_ulcer_disease" title="Peptic ulcer disease">peptic ulcer disease</a> with <a title="Antibiotics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotics">title="Antibiotics">antibiotics</a> long before it was commonly recognized that <a title="Bacteria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria" title="Bacteria">bacteria</a> were a dominant cause for the disease.<sup class="reference" id="_ref-Lykoudis_0" class="reference"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_note-Lykoudis" title="">[11]</a></sup></p><p><a idname="References" nameid="References"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">References</span></h2>
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references">
<li id="_note-medmag">^ <a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-medmag_0" title=""><sup><em><strong>a</strong></em></sup></a> <a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-medmag_1" title=""><sup><em><strong>b</strong></em></sup></a> <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/gic/consults/071503.asp" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/gic/consults/071503.asp" rel="nofollow">GI Consult: Perforated Peptic Ulcer</a>. Retrieved on <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007" title="2007">2007</a>-<a title="August 26" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_26" title="August 26">08-26</a>.</li> <li id="_note-pmid9391242"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-pmid9391242_0" title="">^</a></strong> <cite style="font-style: normal;">Cullen DJ, Hawkey GM, Greenwood DC, <em>et al</em> (1997). "Peptic ulcer bleeding in the elderly: relative roles of Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs". <em>Gut</em> <strong>41</strong> (4): 459–62. <a titlehref="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9391242" class="external" hreftitle="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9391242">PMID 9391242</a>.</cite><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Peptic+ulcer+bleeding+in+the+elderly%3A+relative+roles+of+Helicobacter+pylori+and+non-steroidal+anti-inflammatory+drugs&rft.jtitle=Gut&rft.date=1997&rft.volume=41&rft.issue=4&rft.au=Cullen+DJ%2C+Hawkey+GM%2C+Greenwood+DC%2C+%27%27et+al%27%27&rft.pages=459%E2%80%9362&rft_id=info:pmid/9391242" class="Z3988">> </span></li> <li id="_note-0"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-0" title="">^</a></strong> <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec09/ch121/ch121c.html" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec09/ch121/ch121c.html" rel="nofollow">Peptic Ulcer: Peptic Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition</a>. Retrieved on <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007">title="2007">2007</a>-<a title="October 10" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_10" title="October 10">10-10</a>.</li> <li id="_note-bmj"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-bmj_0" title="">^</a></strong> <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7130/538" class="external text" hreftitle="http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7130/538" rel="nofollow">Stress and peptic ulcer: life beyond helicobacter</a>. Retrieved on <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007" title="2007">2007</a>-<a title="August 26" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_26" title="August 26">08-26</a>.</li> <li id="_note-1"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-1" title="">^</a></strong> For nearly 100 years, scientists and doctors thought that ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Treatment involved bed rest and a bland diet. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/" class="external text" hreftitle="http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/" rel="nofollow">National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse</a></li> <li id="_note-pathologyatlas"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-pathologyatlas_0" title="">^</a></strong> <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Peptic%20ulcer.html" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Peptic%20ulcer.html" rel="nofollow">ATLAS OF PATHOLOGY</a>. Retrieved on <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007" title="2007">2007</a>-<a title="August 26" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_26" title="August 26">08-26</a>.</li> <li id="_note-2"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-2" title="">^</a></strong> <a relhref="nofollow" title="http:http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/history.htm" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/history.htm" rel="nofollow">Ulcer, Diagnosis and Treatment - CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases</a></li> <li id="_note-3"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-3" title="">^</a></strong> <cite style="font-style: normal;">Marshall BJ (1983). "Unidentified curved bacillus on gastric epithelium in active chronic gastritis". <em><a title="The Lancet" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lancet" title="The Lancet">Lancet</a></em> <strong>1</strong> (8336): 1273–1275. <a titlehref="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6134060" class="external" hreftitle="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6134060">PMID 6134060</a>.</cite><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Unidentified+curved+bacillus+on+gastric+epithelium+in+active+chronic+gastritis&rft.jtitle=%5B%5BThe+Lancet%7CLancet%5D%5D&rft.date=1983&rft.volume=1&rft.issue=8336&rft.au=Marshall+BJ&rft.pages=1273%E2%80%931275" class="Z3988"> </span></li> <li id="_note-4"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-4" title="">^</a></strong> <cite style="font-style: normal;">Marshall BJ, Warren JR (1984). "Unidentified curved bacilli in the stomach patients with gastritis and peptic ulceration". <em>Lancet</em> <strong>1</strong> (8390): 1311–1315. <a titlehref="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6145023" class="external" hreftitle="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6145023">PMID 6145023</a>.</cite><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Unidentified+curved+bacilli+in+the+stomach+patients+with+gastritis+and+peptic+ulceration&rft.jtitle=Lancet&rft.date=1984&rft.volume=1&rft.issue=8390&rft.au=Marshall+BJ%2C+Warren+JR&rft.pages=1311%E2%80%931315" class="Z3988"> </span></li> <li id="_note-mja"><strong><a title="" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-mja_0" title="">^</a></strong> <a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_11_051205/van11000_fm.html#0_i1091639" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_11_051205/van11000_fm.html#0_i1091639" rel="nofollow">Research Enterprise, The 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine</a>. Retrieved on <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007" title="2007">2007</a>-<a title="August 26" hrefhref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_26" title="August 26">08-26</a>.</li> <li id="_note-Lykoudis"><strong><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcer#_ref-Lykoudis_0" title="">^</a></strong> Basil Rigas, Efstathios D. Papavasassiliou. John Lykoudis. The general parctitioner in Greece who in 1958 discovered the etiology of, and a treatment for, peptic ulcer disease. in <a title="Barry Marshall" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Marshall" title="Barry Marshall">Barry Marshall</a> (editor), <em>Helicobacter Pioneers. Firsthand accounts from the scientists who discovered helicobacters, 1892-1982</em>, 2002, <a class="internal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0867930357" class="internal">ISBN 0-86793-035-7</a>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<p><a idname="External_links" nameid="External_links"></a></p>
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">External links</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Peptic%20ulcer.html" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.pathologyatlas.ro/Peptic%20ulcer.html" rel="nofollow">Pathology specimen of Gastric ulcer</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.surgeons.org.uk/general-surgery/perforated-duodenal-ulceration.html" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.surgeons.org.uk/general-surgery/perforated-duodenal-ulceration.html" rel="nofollow">A case report and tutorial on perforated duodenal ulcer</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" titlehref="http://www.peptic-ulcers.co.uk/causes.html" class="external text" hreftitle="http://www.peptic-ulcers.co.uk/causes.html" rel="nofollow">Causes of Peptic ulcers</a></li>
</ul>
