CAUSES OF ULCER

There's a very common belief among Nigerians that ulcers are caused by not eating enough food. Many people believe that if you don't eat three square meals a day, you're opening yourself up to developing ulcers in your stomach or chest area.

However, this is a misconception. While skipping meals can aggravate existing ulcer symptoms like pain, ulcers are not directly caused by simply not eating.

An ulcer, specifically a peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops on the inner lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer), the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), or sometimes the esophagus.

Ulcers develop due to damage to the protective lining of these organs. The main causes are far more complex than just eating or not eating:

1.  H. pylori Bacteria: This is the most common cause. It's a bacterium that infects the stomach lining, weakening its protective mucus and allowing acid to create sores. It can spread through contaminated food or water,

close contact with saliva, vomit, or stool including practices like kissing if oral hygiene is poor or sharing utensils.

 Simply kissing doesn't automatically cause ulcers, but it can be a transmission route for H. pylori.

2.  Regular Use of NSAIDs (Pain Relievers): Frequent or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin can irritate the stomach lining and reduce its protective mucus layer.

3.  Other Contributing Factors (Less Common Direct Causes): Smoking: Increases stomach acid production and damages the protective lining, excessive Alcohol Consumption can erode the mucus lining and increase stomach acid. Severe Physiological Stress Major surgery, burns, or critical illness can sometimes lead to "stress ulcers."

Improperly Washed Fruits/Vegetables can be a source of H. pylori or other contaminants that contribute to digestive issues, but it's not a direct, sole cause like H. pylori or NSAIDs.

Not eating regularly might make the pain of an existing ulcer worse because stomach acid builds up with nothing to digest. However, the ulcer itself is caused by underlying factors like H. pylori infection or NSAID use, not directly by the absence of food.

Until the moment when will shall dance in white Greater Grace.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah