A peptic ulcer is a sore or hole in the lining of the stomach.
What is a duodenum ulcer?
A duodenum ulcer is a sore or hole in the beginning of the small intestine.
What causes an ulcer?
Spicy foods do not cause ulcers.
Stress does not cause ulcers.
The cause of an ulcer is not always known.
Ulcers can be caused by a bacterial infection. The bacterium is called helicobacter
pylori (or h. pylori).
The bacterial infection makes it harder for the body to produce mucus that
protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
Without the mucus protection, acid begins to eat away at the lining. Ulcers
may form.
Drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen can cause ulcers. Acetaminophen does not
cause ulcers.
Smoking cigarettes can lead to ulcers.
Who can get it?
A person of any age can get an ulcer.
It is most common in adults, especially adults over age 60.
It is more common in developing countries.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Many people get the infection in childhood but do not show symptoms until
they are older.
Some people do not have symptoms.
Although stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, some people report
that they make symptoms worse.
Symptoms may include:
burning pain in the stomach
nausea
vomiting
chest pain
loss of appetite
weight loss
difficulty feeding
blood in the stools or vomit (may be red or black)
unger pain a few hours after eating (pain often goes away after eating
something)
Is it contagious?
Yes. H. pylori is contagious.
People are usually infected in childhood.
It can be passed through food, water, or close contact with an infected
person.
How is it treated?
If left untreated, h. pylori can cause gastritis, peptic ulcer disease,
or even stomach cancer.
If your child has symptoms of an ulcer, call the doctor.
The doctor may need to take X-rays or other tests.
Peptic and duodenum ulcers may be treated with antibiotics.
Your child will probably need to take antibiotics for 2 weeks.
In very, very few cases when antibiotics do not help the patient, surgery
may be needed.
Do not give other medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Though antacids will not cure an ulcer, they may help relieve symptoms.
Your child's diet does not need to change unless a certain food makes his
symptoms worse.
Some doctors recommend avoiding alcohol, smoke, smoking, coffee, tea, soda,
and other foods that contain caffeine.
How long does it last?
With treatment, ulcers usually take about 8 weeks to heal.
Pain usually goes away within a week.
Can it be prevented?
To prevent the spread of infection, avoid close contact with a person infected
with h. pylori.
Do not share eating and drinking utensils.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor right away if your child has sudden, sharp stomach pain
that will not go away.
Call the doctor right away if your child has bloody (red or black) vomit
or stools.
Call the doctor if your child has symptoms of an ulcer, especially if he
has taken aspirin or ibuprofen for a long time.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment
or condition.
Quick Answers
A peptic ulcer is a sore or hole in the lining of the stomach.
A duodenum ulcer is a sore or hole in the beginning of the small intestine.
Stress and spicy food do not cause ulcers. Ulcers can be caused by a bacterial
infection (called h. pylori) or by using certain drugs, like aspirin or ibuprofen.
A person of any age can get an ulcer but they are most common in adults.
Symptoms of an ulcer can include a burning pain in the stomach, chest pain,
vomiting, or blood in the stools or vomit.
The bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers are contagious.
Peptic ulcers are most often treated with antibiotics.
Treatment usually lasts about 2 weeks. The ulcer may take 8 weeks to heal.
To prevent the spread of infection, avoid close contact with a person infected
with h. pylori. Do not share eating or drinking utensils.
Call the doctor right away if your child has symptoms of an ulcer.
References
Blecker U. Peptic Ulcers. KidsHealth. http://kidshealth.org/ 2000 December
(cited 2002 May 8).
CDC. Helicobacter pylori and Peptic Ulcer Disease. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2001
June 20 (cited 2002 May 8).
MedicineNet.com Peptic Ulcer Disease. http://www.focusondigestion.com 1998
August 17 (cited 2002 May 8).
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