Common Causes & Risk Factors Of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can cause peptic ulcers to form depending on where in the body the radiation is targeted. For instance, patients with gastric lymphoma, specifically in stages one and two, often receive radiation after a round of chemotherapy, as an effective form of treatment for destroying the cancerous cells. As with any cancer treatment, there are a few risks, such as gastric bleeding and perforation, or ulcers that eat through the wall of the stomach lining and small intestine.

Radiation therapy that is done to the upper abdomen can also irritate the esophagus and stomach, while radiation to the lower abdomen is more likely to irritate the small and large intestines and further cause digestive issues. One of the main side effects a patient can experience while receiving radiation in the abdomen area is peptic ulcers, as well as stomach ulcers.

Smoking

We’ve all heard how cigarette smoke can contribute to a number of diseases, from aggravating symptoms to being the root cause for a specific condition to form. Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for gastrointestinal disorders to develop, such as peptic ulcers. Researchers have found that smoking is positively associated with the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers and also delays the ulcer from healing properly. Studies have further shown that cigarette smoking and its active ingredients cause mucosal cell death, restricts cell renewal within the digestive tract, decreases blood flow in the gastrointestinal mucosa and can interfere with the mucosal immune system, which can lead to the development of peptic ulcers.