A peptic ulcer is a raw area of damage to the lining of the stomach or the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine) caused by the erosion of the mucous membrane that normally protects this lining. When a peptic ulcer forms in the stomach, it is known as gastric (or stomach) ulcer; if it forms in the duodenum, it is called a duodenal ulcer.
Although often symptomless, peptic ulcers can cause symptoms of indigestion and severe pain. Some may heal quickly on their own without any long term consequences; however, deep ulcers can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Approximately 1 in 8 people develop a peptic ulcer at some point in their lives, with the majority of those (around 80%) being a duodenal ulcer. Men between the ages of 20 to 45 are particularly at risk of developing a duodenal ulcer, whereas gastric ulcers are more common in those over the age of 50.
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