Ulcers, Stress and

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) defines ulcers as a sore that damages the lining walls of the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum, a part of the small intestine. Ulcers have been medically defined as a localized defect or lesion produced by erosion of the mucous membrane of an organ or tissue. The type and cause of the ulcer is dependent on its location. Consider that 1 in 10 Americans will be diagnosed with an ulcer during his or her lifetime. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases reported that peptic ulcers account for approximately 358,000 hospitalizations and 2,981 deaths annually in the United States. The most common biological cause of ulcers is Helicobacter pylori or a bacterial infection. Another culprit is ...