THE COURSE OF PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE

Peptic ulcer usually has periodic recurrences and remissions. Ulcers provoke pain, but pain can disappear without total healing of the crater and asymptomatic ulcers are seen. Changes in the incidence of ulcer disease have been noted in recent years. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, infection, and use of anti-inflammatory drugs are involved in causation. Complications may occur during the course of an ulcer, and nonulcer dyspepsia remains a vexing problem. Duodenal ulcers recur at a surprisingly high rate but some therapies may prevent their return.