Most peptic ulcers are now known to be associated with

  • A. an excess of bile in the stomach
  • B. a shortage of hydrochloric acid
  • C. eating too much fibre
  • D. infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori

Explanation

Helicobacter pylori survives the acid by living under the mucus layer, and the inflammation it causes lets acid and pepsin damage the wall beneath, so most ulcers are cured with antibiotics together with an acid reducing drug. Stress and spicy food may aggravate the symptoms but are no longer regarded as the cause. Ulcers form where acid is present, so a shortage of acid cannot explain them.

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