Font Size

Peptic Ulcers

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow

Peptic Ulcers Overview

In the digestive system, an ulcer is an area where tissue has been destroyed by gastric juices and stomach acid. Peptic ulcer disease is a general term for ulcers that occur in the stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine).

A peptic ulcer is an erosion or sore in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
The mucous membrane lining the digestive tract erodes and causes a gradual breakdown of tissue.
This breakdown causes a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle part of the belly (abdomen).
Although most peptic ulcers are small, they can cause a considerable amount of discomfort.

Peptic ulcers are a very common condition in the United States and throughout the world.

In the United States, an estimated 25 million people will suffer an ulcer at some point. That's 1 in 10 people.
About 4 million people are affected by ulcers at any given time.
There are approximately 350,000-500,000 new cases and more than 1 million ulcer-related hospitalizations each year in this country alone.
About 6000 people die each year of ulcer-related complications.

Ulcers can occur at any age, although they are rare in children and teenagers.

Duodenal ulcers usually first occur between the ages of 30-50 years and are twice as common in men as in women.
Stomach (or gastric) ulcers usually occur in people older than 60 years and are more common in women.

The good news is that we have learned a lot about ulcers in the past 20 years and effective therapies are now available.