Question: What is a peptic ulcer?
Answer: A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach or duodenum.

Do peptic ulcers have other names?

Peptic ulcers are sometimes called stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or peptic ulcer disease.
Question: How common are peptic ulcers?
Answer: Researchers estimate about 1% to 6% of people in the United States have peptic ulcers.1
Question: Who is more likely to develop peptic ulcers?
Answer: People are more likely to develop peptic ulcers if they are

infected with thebacteriaHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
takingnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen

H. pylori infection and taking NSAIDs are the two most common causes of peptic ulcers.

People are more likely to develop peptic ulcers if they are infected with H. pylori bacteria.

People also are more likely to develop peptic ulcers if they

are older adults
had a peptic ulcer before
smoke
Question: What are the complications of peptic ulcers?
Answer: Peptic ulcers can lead to complications such as

bleedingin your stomach or duodenum
a perforation, or hole, in the wall of your stomach or duodenum, which can lead to peritonitis, an infection of the lining of theabdominalcavity
penetration of the ulcer through the stomach or duodenum and into another nearby organ
a blockage that can stop food from moving from your stomach into your duodenum