Slide 2

Peptic ulcers are acid-induced lesions in the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus. The main causes are H. pylori bacteria and NSAIDs. Other factors like stress, smoking, and poor diet can worsen ulcers. H. pylori infects the stomach lining, causing inflammation and increased stomach acid, leading to ulcers. NSAIDs damage the stomach lining by becoming acidic and inhibiting the production of protective substances. Peptic ulcers are acid-induced lesions in the mucosa of the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus. In the stomach, they are known as gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers in the duodenum, and in the esophagus, esophageal ulcers. There are two root causes of peptic ulcer disease. The first and most commonly known is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori. The second, more recently discovered cause is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs. Additionally, there are other lifestyle risks that can exacerbate the development of ulcers, including chronic stress, smoking, heavy drinking, and the consumption of foods that are high in acid, fats, and salt. The mechanism in which H. pylori causes peptic ulcers to develop begins with exposure, which usually occurs at some point in one's childhood. While an H. pylori infection does not cause problems for most people, those that do develop peptic ulcers do so in the following way. H. pylori enters the mucous layer of the stomach and attaches to the stomach lining. Once in the stomach lining, the bacteria will degrade epithelial cells, triggering an inflammatory response. The inflammation and breakdown of cells increases the levels of acid in the stomach, which further damages stomach tissues and leads to the development of ulcers. NSAIDs work in two ways to damage the mucosal barrier in the stomach. Most NSAIDs are weak acids, and when exposed to gastric juice, they become protonated and enter epithelial cells. Once in the cells, the NSAIDs release hydrogen ions, making the intracellular fluid become acidic, causing a cascade of events that result in injury to or death of the cells. NSAIDs also inhibit cyclooxygenase 1 from synthesizing prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that increase mucus and bicarbonate secretions. These secretions are crucial to the maintenance of the mucosal barrier, and without them, gastric acids can damage stomach cells and tissues.