Video - Peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an erosion or a break in gastric or/and duodenal mucosa. The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Symptoms of a peptic ulcer include abdominal pain, usually felt in the upper middle or upper left part of the abdomen, bloating, vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, a peptic ulcer can cause bleeding or a perforation in the mucosa of the stomach or duodenum. Treatment includes a combination of medications called triple therapy to kill the H. pylori bacteria and reduce acid production in the stomach. Surgery is the last optional treatment to repair the ulcer if drugs are unsuccessful.