Digestive System

An ulcer is a sore or lesion that develops in the tissue lining of the stomach or duodenum. The stomach produces stomach acids such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid to digest the food. If these stomach acids and digestive juices injure and corrode the stomach’s lining of protective mucus, then an ulcer may form. Ulcers in the stomach are known as stomach or gastric ulcers while those found in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers. They can develop at any age, but are generally uncommon amongst children and teenagers. Stomach ulcers tend to affect people over the age of 60, particularly more women than men.

Bloating in the stomach can be a common occurrence – most of us will experience a bloated stomach at some stage of our lives. The feeling of ‘pressure’ and ‘fullness’ in the stomach, that can make it feel as though we are stretched to capacity or weighted down.

Common pain in the belly (abdomen) is usually related to indigestion or an upset stomach. This occurs when the digestion process is more difficult than usual for the body to perform. This may occur as a result of certain foods, eating too fast or eating food that is past its sell-by-date. Stomach ache can also occur as a result of certain conditions – some physical, such as a ‘tummy bug’, flu, gastritis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and some psychological conditions – such as stress and anxiety.