Disease/Condition and Its Effects on the Body SystemStomach ulcers are open sores that develop inside the lining of the stomach. This happens when the protective lining of the stomach stops working and breaks down. Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the stomach lining. When the ulcer passes through the entire stomach, it is called perforation and is a medical emergency. The most common cause of gastric ulcer is an infection caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus) and people infected with H. Pylori have a 30% increased risk of stomach cancer. stomach. Drinking a lot of alcohol, taking NSAIDs regularly, smoking and chewing tobacco, and undergoing radiation therapy can increase the risk of developing a gastric ulcer (nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/). Different symptoms may occur, such as abdominal pain, feeling full, mild nausea, bloody or black and tarry stools, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss and possibly bloody vomiting. People with liver disease, COPD, kidney failure, and a family history increase the risk of developing a gastric ulcer (healthcommunities.com). common in older men. As previously noted, people who take NSAIDs daily are at higher risk because these medications inhibit enzymes that help protect the stomach lining. To test and see if people have a gastric ulcer, the doctor will order an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and an upper gastrointestinal x-ray. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is performed with a thin tube with a camera on the end and inserted through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract and checks for ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. Gastric Ulcer...... middle of document...... a multitude of support groups for people with gastric ulcers, such as dailystrength.org and mdjunction.com. Support groups share their own experiences and how they deal with pain and treatments available to other patients. What I Learned I learned that there are many factors that can contribute to the development of gastric ulcers. Additionally, gastric ulcers are mainly caused by medications and infections and not by stress and food. It's also difficult to understand why people can't accept that bacteria causes gastric ulcer more than stress and food, even though there is scientific evidence that suggests infections. Works Cited http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/history.htm http: //www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000206.htm http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/peptic-ulcer/basics/treatment/con-20028643http://www.healthcommunities.com/peptic-ulcer-disease/causes.shtml