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For almost 100 years, doctors believed that stress, spicy foods, and alcohol caused most ulcers. Now we know that most peptic ulcers are caused by a particular bacterial infection in the stomach and upper intestine, by certain medications, or by smoking.

In 1982, two doctors - Barry Marshall and Robin Warren - discovered a certain kind of bacteria that can live and grow in the stomach. Both doctors went on to win the Nobel Prize for their discovery. The medical name for these bacteria is Helicobacter pylori(or H. pylori, for short). Today doctors know that most peptic ulcers are caused by an infection from H. pylori.

Experts believe that 90% of all people with ulcers are infected with H. pylori. But strangely enough, most people infected with H. pylori don't develop an ulcer. Doctors aren't completely sure why, but think it may partly depend upon the individual person - for example, those who develop ulcers may already have a problem with the lining of their stomachs.

It's also thought that some people may naturally secrete more stomach acid than others - and it doesn't matter what stresses they're exposed to or what foods they eat. Peptic ulcers may have something to do with the combination of H. pylori infection and the level of acid in the stomach.

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14y ago

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