WHAT DOES A STOMACH ULCER AFFECT ?
The main thing that a stomach ulcer affects is the nerves surrounding it. The nerves become agitated and cause a great amount of pain. However, stomach ulcers can cause hemorrhages from the erosion of a major blood vessel; a tear in the wall of the stomach or intestine, with resultant peritonitis; or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract because of spasm or swelling in the area of the ulcer. STOMACH ULCER STATISTICS 1. About 20 million Americans develop at least one stomach ulcer during their lifetime. 2. Stomach ulcers affect about 4 million Americans every year. 3. More than 40,000 Americans have surgery because of persistent symptoms or problems from ulcers every year. 4. About 6,000 Americans die of stomach ulcer-related complications every year. RISKS OF DEVELOPING A STOMACH ULCER • Family history of ulcers • Smoking • Excess alcohol consumption • Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin) or corticosteroids. • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome • Improper diet, irreg
