Ulcers (Peptic)
A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum (the upper part of your small intestine). Its immediate cause is your own digestive juices—hydrochloric acid, an enzyme called pepsin, and other chemicals your stomach secretes to break down food (see illustration below). Even though these juices are as corrosive as battery acid, the linings of your intestine and stomach usually are protected by a layer of mucus and other defenses. If those defenses fail, you may get an ulcer, which most commonly announces itself with bouts of gnawing pain in your upper abdomen.
Ulcers afflict about 1 in 5 men and 1 in 10 women at some point.
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