Scientists in Australia were the first to recognize that many people with ulcers had strange, corkscrewlike bacteria in their stomachs. Convincing the world that infection can cause ulcers is no easy task, however. To prove his point, one of the Australian doctors infected himself with H pylori and quickly became sick with typical ulcer symptoms. His experiment led to the first major breakthrough proving ulcers could be cured. People of any age can get ulcers, and women are affected just as often as men.
Duodenal ulcers are the most common type.
Regardless of location, ulcers can cause a great deal of discomfort. Symptoms often include a burning pain between the breastbone and the belly button. The pain often occurs when the stomach is empty, such as between meals and in the early morning, but it can occur any time. It can last from a few minutes to many hours and is usually relieved by eating food or taking antacids. Less common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.