Peptic Ulcer Disease: 

Peptic ulcer disease or stomach ulcer occurs when the lining of the stomach is damage.  This can also occur in your small intestine. 

Pain medications that contain NSAID may often be the cause of  stomach ulcers.  NSAID’s are found in Aspirin, Motrin (or Ibuprofen), Aleve and many other over the counter pain medications.

H. Pylori:  Also known to cause ulcers is H. Pylori, a bacteria that is found in 20% of the general pollution.   However, ulcer formation from H. Pylori occurs in only a small number of people.

In general neither the bacteria nor ulcer causes any symptoms.  Often they cause a gnawing “aching” discomfort that is associate with certain food, such spicy food, citrus, soda and caffeine.  Only in rare occasion, the ulcer can bleed or cause obstruction.

Treatment: 

H. Pylori bacteria can be easily treated with 12 to 14 days of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, or similar products). 

However, an endoscopy (EGD) is necessary to view your stomach to detect the small ulcers and to treat the larger ones. Equally important you should have an EGD to detect recurrent infection and any possible cancer.