A peptic ulcer is an area of the stomach or duodenal (the first part of the small intestine) lining that becomes eroded by the stomach acid. Known individually as stomach and duodenal ulcers, collectively they are known as peptic ulcers. Do you think you are suffering from an ulcer? Take this Peptic Ulcer screening quiz, and then discuss the results with your doctor.
Peptic ulcer facts:
About 20 million Americans develop at least one ulcer during their lifetime
Ulcers can develop at any age, but are rare among teenagers and even rarer in children
Duodenal ulcers usually occur for the first time between the ages of 30 and 50
Stomach ulcers are more likely to develop in people over age 60
While duodenal ulcers occur more frequently in men than women, stomach ulcers develop more frequently in women than men.
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A popular myth about peptic ulcers is that spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers. The truth is, almost all stomach ulcers are caused either by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or by use of pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, the so-called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Spicy food and stress may aggravate ulcer symptoms in some people who have an ulcer, but they do not cause ulcers.
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How much do you know about peptic ulcers? Test your knowledge of these questions and others by taking this peptic ulcer quiz!
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Informational Links
- Peptic Ulcers - The Basics
- Causes of Ulcers
- Symptoms of Ulcers
- Diagnosing Ulcers
- Treating Ulcers
- Surgery For Ulcers
- Complications of Ulcers
- Ulcer Warning Signs
- H. pylori and Ulcers
- Gastric Ulcer X-ray
- Location of Peptic Ulcers (Illustration)
- Causes of Peptic Ulcers (Illustration)
- Stomach ulcers (Illustration)
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Test your knowledge of these questions and others by taking this peptic ulcer quiz
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Updated: 01/18/06
