Common Causes & Risk Factors Of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease is a common condition in which crater-like sores develop in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Not everyone with a peptic ulcer develops symptoms, but about half of patients experience pain. This pain can feel like a burning sensation in the abdomen or a sensation of pressure and it can be mild to extreme. For most individuals, the pain occurs after a meal and may last minutes to several hours. Some patients with peptic ulcers also experience nausea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and blood in vomit or stools. Up to ten percent of all individuals experience a peptic ulcer at some point, although they are most common among men later in life.