How does too much stress cause stomach ulcer?

Answer 1

No, stress can NOT cause ulcers. This is a persistent "old wives tale" that has no scientific basis. Most peptic ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. See the related question below.

Answer 2

Yes. You can say so. The stomach ulcer is commonly associated with spicy food and psychological stress. But not every person who eats spicy food or have psychological stress, gets stomach ulcer.

Answer 3

The loss of a good night's sleep could do more than make you yawn - it may trigger stomach ulcers.

Research published shows that good sleeping habits result in better production of a protein called TFF2 that repair tissue damage in the stomach and keeps ulcers at bay.

It also confirms that eating late is bad for you because it also suppresses the same protein. The study of 12 volunteers by Dr Felicity May and colleagues at Newcastle University backs up the idea that stressful lifestyles are more likely to lead to ulcers.

Her work, published in the medical journal Gut, shows levels of TFF2 peak at night when it rapidly increases around breaches in the stomach lining following harm caused by food and alcohol.

Levels of the protein were lowest in the afternoon and early evening and rose sharply after 1am - peaking at 5am. During the sleeping period, TFF2 levels increased by up to 340 times.

Answer 4

There are multiple causative factors for development of peptic ulcer disease and usually more than one are operative at the same time. These factors basically result in an imbalance between the acid and pepsin secretion from the stomach and the protective mucosal mechanisms. Stressful situations can lead to an enhanced acid production through vagal nerve stimulation. Severe acute illness like multiple injuries, burns, severe infections are acute stressful situations that can interfere with blood supply to the gastric mucosa making it prone towards ulceration. Current research shows that infection of the gastroduodenal lining with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori plays a key role in genesis of the ulceration. Other contributive factors include smoking, alcohol intake and use of certain medications like steroids and anti-inflammatory pain-controlling medications.

Answer 5

Stress caused release of stress hormones that cause vasodilation of peripheral vascular beds shunting blood away from the gastrointestinal tract. A healthy intact mucous membrane of the stomach requires proper blood supply. Reduced blood supply causes ulcers.

Answer 6

There is no proof that they can, however, there are many other causes.