Causes of peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It forms when the protective mucus layer is overwhelmed by stomach acid and digestive juices.

Main causes

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining and is the most common cause worldwide. It spreads through contaminated food, water and close contact, often in childhood.
• Pain medicines (NSAIDs): aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen and similar tablets reduce the stomach's protective lining, especially with long or high-dose use.
• Rare causes: very high acid states such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, severe illness, and some other medicines.

Factors that raise the risk

• Smoking and tobacco chewing
• Heavy alcohol use
• Older age
• Using steroids or blood thinners together with NSAIDs
• Family history of ulcers

What does not cause ulcers on its own

Spicy food and stress do not cause ulcers by themselves, but they can make symptoms worse in some people.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive)

Ayurveda links burning, sour stomach conditions with aggravated Pitta, described under terms such as Amlapitta and Parinama shula. This is a traditional framework, not a modern diagnosis. Clinical evidence for Ayurvedic treatments of ulcers is limited.

When to get help

See a doctor if you have repeated burning upper stomach pain, especially if you use pain tablets regularly. Testing for H. pylori and stopping the cause is what allows the ulcer to heal.

Remember

Most peptic ulcers come from H. pylori or pain tablets. Finding the cause is the key to healing and preventing a return.