GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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Gastrointestinal System
/ GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Peptic Ulcer

jwlee35
jwlee35
Hi all. Just dropping by with a question. Does having a peptic ulcer mean I have GERD? I haven't been able to find a conclusive answer and the peptic ulcer group isn't very active. Thanks for any replys!
sptrout
sptrout
No, GERD is not the cause of ulcers. Below is a link to the Mayo Clinic web site that lists the main causes of peptic ulcers and you will not find GERD mentioned. H. pylori is the first place to look as discovered several years ago by a researcher in Australia if I remember correctly.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peptic-ulcer/DS00242/DSECTION=causes
jwlee35
jwlee35
I'm sorry I didn't go more in depth with my question. I tested negative for H. pylori, my ulcers are from taking way too many ibuprofen for way too long, (years and years). My GI doc never mentioned GERD, but I have all the normal symptoms of it along with my ulcer symptoms and weird palpitations now.
deleted_user
deleted_user
That sounds more like Gastritis than GERD, both are treated the same way though.
Lesleygm
Lesleygm
I agree with chel,, it sounds like you have a gastritis issue as a result of the ibuprofen use. The lining of the stomach is affected and you get an ulcer but you can sometimes have reflux with gastritis. They are connected. People who have regular heartburn can have the upper. lining of the stomach affected and develop mild gastritis. Sometimes the symptoms of an ulcer are similar to that of heartburn. You can feel like the burning is in the chest with an ulcer. I have a friend who has an ulcer. She can have similar symptoms to what I have when my esophagus is inflammed. We all can have different symptoms related to acid because our bodies react differently.

I doubt you have GERD though.. That develops over time because the esophagus becomes chronically inflammed from constant acid reflux.

I agree the treatment is the same!

Good Luck!