Peptic ulcers begin when acid digestive juices damage the protective mucus lining of the stomach or duodenum. The bacterium H. pylori plays a significant role in the disease. In the 1970s, the only treatments were a diet and antacids - or surgery. Since then dramatic progress has been made through medicines to block acid formation and antibiotics that destroy H. pylori.
Disease: Peptic ulcers
Last update: June 2008