It is hard to accurately estimate exactly how common peptic ulcers are because in many people they do not cause any symptoms. However, a Swedish study that tested 1,000 adults at random found that four per cent of them had a peptic ulcer.

Peptic ulcers can affect people of any age, including children, but the condition is most common in people who are 60 years of age, or over. Both sexes are equally affected by peptic ulcers.

In the past, it was mistakenly thought that the main causes of peptic ulcers were lifestyle factors, such as diet, smoking, alcohol, and stress. While these factors may play a limited role, it is now known that the leading cause of peptic ulcers is a type of bacteria called H. pylori.

H. pylori can infect the stomach and small intestines and, in some people, the bacteria can irritate the inner layer of the stomach and small intestine, leading to the formation of an ulcer.

A group of painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin and ibuprofen, are the second most common cause of peptic ulcers. These types of painkillers can irritate the lining of the stomach and small intestine in some people, particularly if they are taken on a long-term basis