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Treatment & Causes of a Duodenal Ulcer

Duodenal ulcers are open sores that form in the lining of the duodenum, the part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach. About 10 percent of Americans develop ulcers at some point in their lifetime, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and duodenal ulcers are the most common type.

  1. Causes

    • About 90 percent of duodenal ulcers stem from infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which weakens mucus linings in the digestive tract, making it more susceptible to digestive acids. Less frequently, duodenal ulcers form as a reaction to common cold medications, an overproduction of digestive acid, and other diseases such as stomach cancer or cirrhosis.

    Misconceptions

    • Doctors long blamed spicy foods and a stressful lifestyle for duodenal ulcers. While diet and stress can aggravate existing ulcers, they do not cause them directly.

    Treatment

    • Most duodenal ulcers respond to a regimen of antibiotics and medications that neutralize or block production of stomach acids. Severe cases might require stronger medicines or surgery.

    Prevention

    • Men are more likely than women to develop duodenal ulcers, and they are more common in people with a family history of peptic ulcers. Quitting smoking, cutting alcohol consumption, and managing digestive conditions like acid reflux reduces duodenal ulcer risk.

    Warning

    • Without treatment, duodenal ulcers can cause serious complications including heavy bleeding, blockage, or a hole in the duodenal wall. These might require surgery.

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