Understanding Ulcers
Although Heartburn is a very common reason for pain in the chest and stomach areas, there are also other factors that can cause similar and uncomfortable pain. One of these just so happens to be Ulcers. Ulcers can occur in the esophagus, duodenum, gastrointestinal areas and also stomach. The percentages of having this uncomfortable problem in these certain areas of the body are all very different. Out of all ulcers that occur in the body, ulcers in the duodenum are the most common making up 90% of cases. this is followed by 20% in the Gastrointestinal tract, 5% in the esophagus, and another 5% in the stomach.
The human stomach contains a several important acids that aid in the digestion of foods. These acids combine with an enzyme called Pepsin and together they are able to break down the food we eat in a very effective manner. What happens is for some individuals, a portion of the lining in their stomach begins to wear away. Because of this, the person will begin to feel pain in a certain area because the pepsin and stomach acids still continue to do their job. An Ulcer is very much like a sore or a blister. The area begins to get very inflamed and hurtful during the body’s natural digestion process.
For a long time Ulcers were believed to be caused by stress, and they were known to effect more men and women. Since men were perceived to contain their emotions easier than women, this seemed to be the reason why older men were affected. However, recent studies have proven this wrong. Most Scientists now believe that ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection known as Helicobacter pylori. As an individual ages, the chances of having H. plori increases. In relation to ulcer cases, it has been found to effect 90% of the people with ulcers in the duodenum, and 70% in the gastric. Researchers believe that the bacteria weakens the linings of these areas allowing the acid to form an Ulcer. However, going back to our previous thought, no one knows exactly why men seem to have more of a battle with Ulcers than women do. The question is still up in the air. H. Plori has been known to effect over half of the world, but can easily be treated with antibiotics. After treatment, individuals are usually Ulcer free for the rest of their lifetime.
Resources: “50 Ways to Relieve Heartburn, Reflux, and Ulcers”: M. Sara Rosenthal
