What is peptic ulcer disease?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 02, 2025
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Peptic ulcer is a common upper gastrointestinal disease, typically caused by the digestive action of stomach acid and pepsin, leading to damage in the mucosal layer of the stomach. Hence, it is called a peptic ulcer, encompassing gastric ulcers as well as duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so forth. The majority of causal factors are due to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors include stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol, poor dietary habits, and medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids. In addition, psychological factors can also lead to the development of peptic ulcers.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can a peptic ulcer heal itself?

Peptic ulcers, commonly referred to as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are relatively common in clinical settings and generally have a good prognosis. For simple peptic ulcers, patients usually do not exhibit common symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloody stools, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., and these can often heal on their own. However, if a patient experiences typical upper abdominal symptoms like vomiting blood, bloody stools, or significant abdominal pain, especially pain in the lower back, it is advisable for the patient to seek timely treatment at a local hospital for further clarification. In treating this condition, a few points should be noted: First, pay attention to diet and rest, it’s advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol. Second, if peptic ulcers are suspected, one might consider using supplementary oral medications, such as antacids or gastroprotective drugs etc., which generally lead to a good prognosis. Of course, if the patient does not exhibit any special symptoms, regular observation may suffice.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can people with peptic ulcers exercise?

The primary cause of peptic ulcers is usually Helicobacter pylori infection, though other factors can also trigger the onset of peptic ulcers, such as tobacco and alcohol irritation, poor dietary habits, and emotional issues. Additionally, excessive fatigue is also one of the causes that can trigger or cause a recurrence of peptic ulcers. Therefore, whether or not a person with peptic ulcers can exercise depends on the specific condition of the illness. If it is an acute active phase or a subacute peptic ulcer that has not fully healed, strict rest is necessary in such cases. If a gastroscopy shows that the ulcer has completely healed, moderate and light activities are permissible, but excessive fatigue should still be avoided.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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The main cause of peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disease, and the primary cause should primarily be Helicobacter pylori infection. Extensive research has proven that Helicobacter pylori infection is closely related to gastric inflammation activity, the formation of peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Secondly, drugs are a factor; many drugs can damage the gastric mucosa, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, which often lead to the occurrence of peptic ulcers. Additionally, mental stress is often a catalyst for stomach diseases, with numerous studies showing that a person's emotions, personality, and mental stress are related to peptic ulcers. Furthermore, poor dietary and living habits can also damage the gastric mucosa, leading to the occurrence of peptic ulcers.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is peptic ulcer serious?

Peptic ulcer is a common disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including gastric ulcer, duodenal bulb ulcer, and gastroduodenal complex ulcer, etc. The primary cause is often infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors, such as poor dietary habits, smoking and alcohol stimulants, drug irritants, or emotional factors, can also lead to peptic ulcers. As for the severity of peptic ulcers, it should be judged based on the patient's age, medical history, medication history, and the results of gastroscopy, among other factors. Generally, peptic ulcers are not serious and can be cured with medication. However, a minority of recurrent cases might have a tendency to become cancerous. These cases can be effectively treated with a combination of medical and surgical treatments, and are generally not severe.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Can people with peptic ulcers drink milk?

Milk is very common in our daily lives and contains a wide range of nutrients. For example, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc., have a high nutritional value, so currently there are many people who drink milk. As for whether people with peptic ulcers can drink milk, opinions vary. Some say it is possible, while others say it is not; it really depends on the specific situation. If it is the acute phase of a peptic ulcer, often accompanied by excessive stomach acid, it is generally best to avoid drinking milk. This is because drinking milk might stimulate the secretion of stomach acid. If it is the healing phase of a peptic ulcer, drinking small amounts of milk can be helpful. At the same time, try to avoid drinking milk that is too cold.