Doctors used to think ulcers were caused by stress or by eating food with too much acid in it. We now know this isn't true. Most stomach ulcers are caused by an infection. The infection is caused by a bacteria (germ) called Helicobacter pylori ("hell-ee-ko-back-ter pie-lore-ee"), or H. pylori for short. Ulcers in people who don't have an H. pylori infection are usually related to heavy aspirin use, or heavy use of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (some brand names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin). Acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) doesn't cause stomach ulcers. For more information see this web site.
