Ulcer
Ulcer, shallow sore produced by the destruction of skin or mucous membrane. Skin ulcers may occur in association with a number of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney and heart ailments, varicose veins , syphilis , leprosy , tuberculosis , and cancer . Gastrointestinal ulcers occur with chronic gastritis , ulcerative colitis, and typhoid fever . Peptic ulcers are ulcers of the stomach (gastric) or small intestine (duodenal). In addition to the pain caused by the ulcer itself, peptic ulcers give rise to such complications as hemorrhage from the erosion of a major blood vessel; perforation of the wall of the stomach or intestine, with resultant peritonitis ; or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract because of spasm or swelling in the area of the ulcer. The direct cause of peptic ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining by hydrochloric acid, an acid normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach . Infection with the bacterium Helicobact...