| Category | Esophagus and Stomach Disorder |
A stomach ulcer is an open sore that develops in the lining of the stomach. You can also have one in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine where the stomach opens. Duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers are the two types of gastric ulcers. They get their name from pepsin, one of the digestive juices present in the stomach and which sometimes enters the duodenum. These juices are a contributing factor to gastric ulcers.
Stomach ulcers occur when the protective lining of the stomach and duodenum has been eroded, allowing stomach acid and digestive enzymes to destroy the walls of the stomach and duodenum. This eventually leads to open sores that are constantly irritated by the acid. If left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, such as internal bleeding.
