Blame Bacteria

• Bacteria causes bellyaches.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Umberto Salvagnin
  
  The bacterium H. pylori typically causes erosion in the stomach lining. According to the NDDIC, researchers speculate humans contract the H. pylori bacterium via unclean food, water or kissing. This bacterium is the most common on the earth.
  
  

Non-bacterial Causes

• Frequent and chronic use of NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, is the second most common cause of peptic ulcers. But certain illnesses, consuming too much alcohol and smoking can potentially cause or worsen peptic ulcers. Stress and diet can exacerbate them.
  
  

Symptoms

• A duodenum erosion might feel like a dull stomachache or a burning pain in the upper part of the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also cause weight loss, bloating, vomiting, and numerous other symptoms.
  
  

Diagnosis and Treatment

• An endoscopy or X-rays can determine if a person has duodenum erosion. A doctor will usually rely on a breath test, or a blood, stool or tissue sample to determine if H. pylori bacteria are present. This determines the course of treatment, because an ulcer caused by bacteria, as opposed to NSAIDS, is treated with different medicines. Surgery is only considered if the peptic ulcer is life-threatening or if the ulcer is not responding to treatment.
  
  

FYI

• According to the NDDIC, one in 10 Americans will have a peptic ulcer in their lifetime, so it's important to take chronic stomach pain seriously.