What Is a Gastric Ulcer?
An ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach. Learn more about symptoms of ulcers and how they form.
Transcript: What Is a Gastric Ulcer?
Healthy Digestion
Food enters the body through the mouth, then travels down the esophagus, and into the stomach. The stomach produces acid and an enzyme called pepsin, which aids in digestion. The stomach lining is protected from the digestive acids by a thin layer of mucus.What Is an Ulcer?
Sometimes, an imbalance between the pepsin and stomach acids can develop. When this happens, an ulcer can form. An ulcer is a sore that develops on the lining of the stomach.Symptoms of an Ulcer
Symptoms of a gastric ulcer can include abdominal pain that occurs after a meal, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and fatigue.Causes of Gastric Ulcers
Some gastric ulcers can be caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. This bacteria exists in the stomach and can change the mucous layer that protects the lining from digestive acids.Cigarette smoking, foods and beverages containing caffeine, alcohol use, and certain medications may contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.
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