Ask a doctor - Can peptic ulcer occur without gastritis?

Q. Can peptic ulcer occur without gastritis?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Yes, peptic ulcer can occur without gastritis. However, it is important to note that an underlying condition such as gastritis may increase the risk of developing a peptic ulcer.

Gastritis and peptic ulcers are both conditions affecting the digestive system, but they are not the same thing. The main difference between them is that a peptic ulcer refers to an erosion in the lining of your stomach or duodenum caused by acid damage while gastritis is inflammation of the lining of your stomach due to irritation from excessive acid production or irritation from other factors such as alcohol use and bacterial infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Gastric acids play an important role in breaking down food and protecting against harmful organisms that may enter our bodies through food. But overproduction of these acids can cause inflammation and lead to conditions like gastritis or even more serious issues like cancer if left untreated for too long. Excess acid production is one potential cause for a peptic ulcer forming, although there are also other causes including long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen which can damage your stomach's protective mucus coating leading to increased vulnerability to damage from acidic foods and drinks, or bacterial infection with H. pylori which produces toxins that disrupt mucus secretion further weakening protection against acidity leading in some cases to development of a Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD).

As mentioned above it's possible for someone suffering from a PUD not have symptoms indicative og Gastritis present as well; however it should be noted that having Gastitis increases chances significantly so if you think you might be suffering from either issue it’s always best spoke seek medical advice just in case!