Peptic Ulcer Disease

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcers develop when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner lining of the lower esophagus, stomach or small intestine. Patients typically experience pain and bleeding as a result.

Causes include:

• Inflammation of the stomach lining due to the presence of Helicobater pylori bacteria, producing an ulcer.
• Regular use of certain pain relievers such as aspirin and other over-the-counter and prescription pain medications also referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause inflammation of the stomach lining and small intestine.
• Malignant ulcers

How is peptic ulcer disease treated?

Surgery is used to manage peptic ulcer disease in cases of uncontrolled or recurrent bleeding, perforation, obstruction, intractable disease and suspected malignancy.

What takes place during surgery?

The surgeon can perform one of the following procedures: 

• Tend to the perforated area by patching it with healthy tissue
• Partial gastrectomy: removal of the lower half of the stomach
• Total gastrectomy: removal of the stomach (connecting the esophagus to the small intestine)