Do stress or spicy foods cause peptic ulcers?
No, neither stress nor spicy foods cause ulcers. But they can make ulcers worse. Drinking alcohol or smoking can make ulcers worse, too. What increases my risk of getting peptic ulcers? You’re more likely to develop a peptic ulcer if you • have an H. pylori infection • use NSAIDs often • smoke cigarettes • drink alcohol • have relatives who have peptic ulcers • are 50 years old or older Having relatives with peptic ulcers puts you at risk of having them too. Can peptic ulcers get worse? Peptic ulcers will get worse if they aren’t treated. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: • sudden sharp pain that doesn’t go away • black or bloody stools • bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds Call your doctor if the pain gets worse. These could be signs that • the ulcer has gone through, or perforated, the stomach or duodenal wall • the ulcer has broken a blood vessel • the ulcer has stopped food from moving from the stomach into the duodenum These symptoms m
