Ulcers are sores on the lining of your digestive tract. Your digestive tract consists of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum (the first part of the intestines) and intestines. Most ulcers are located in the duodenum (called "duodenal ulcers"). Ulcers located in the stomach are called "gastric ulcers", while ulcers in the esophagus are called "esophageal ulcers". All can be quite painful and tend to lead to other more severe health problems.

Overview

For almost 100 years, doctors believed that stress, spicy foods, and alcohol caused most ulcers. Now we know that most gastric (or peptic) ulcers are caused by a particular bacterial infection in the stomach and upper intestine, by certain medications, or by smoking. Smoking is also associated with peptic ulcers. Smoking increases a person's risk of getting an ulcer because the nicotine in cigarettes causes the stomach to produce more acid. Drinking a lot of alcohol each day for a period of time can also increase a person's risk of ulcers because over time alcohol can wear down the lining of the stomach and intestines.  It is found that H. Pylori, a form of bacteria, is usually present when ulcers occur.

In certain circumstances stress can help cause ulcers. But this usually only happens in situations when illness involving severe emotional or physical stress is involved — such as when someone is so sick that he or she cannot eat for a long period of time. Ulcers occur because of uncontrolled increased acid production in the stomach and changes in a person's immune system (the body system that fights infection). With any illness where the body's ability to heal is challenged (such as when a person has been burned badly in a fire), there is a risk for developing ulcers.

To understand ulcers, it helps to understand how the digestive system works. Food is taken in through your mouth and travels down the esophagus down into the stomach, where it is digested (dissolved) through use of different stomach acids and enzymes.  Different vitamins, minerals and proteins are used different ways and absorbed into your body in different ways.  Parts of the food that are not used are excreted.

Outlook

Ulcers can be cured by use of medication, usually an over-the-counter medication at first.  If symptoms continue, you should see your doctor who may prescribe a stronger medication, called a proton pump inhibitor - like Prilosec or Nexium - that helps reduce the acid production in your stomach to promote healing. If you leave an ulcer untreated, it can lead to significant abdominal distress, bleeding ulcers (which require immediate medical attention) or even stomach cancer in some cases.  However, early treatment is easy as symptoms of an ulcer are very noticable.

Testing / Screening

There is tow generally quick teste that can be performed for an ulcer :

• Blood tests such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quick office-based tests identify and measure H. pylori antibodies

• Breath tests measure carbon dioxide in exhaled breath. Patients are given a substance called urea with carbon to drink, after which, by collecting the breath, doctors can measure this carbon and determine whether H. pylori is present or absent

If you want additional information on ulcers, an excellent resource is MedicineNet.com.