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Digestive Health Digestive Health Basics

Ulcers are not caused by stress

Despite popular belief, stomach ulcers are not caused by smoking, alcohol, or spicy foods. The real culprit is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which may infect the gastrointestinal tract early in life. H. pylori can cause an inflammation of the stomach and, in one out of six people, an actual breakdown of the stomach lining – in other words, peptic ulcer disease. Ulcers can also be triggered by the ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and high doses of aspirin.

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