Stomach ulcers — are bacteria, stress, or painkillers to blame?

Sources: 4 · Article: 6 064 characters

Henryk Różański — choroba wrzodowa
Hubert Czerniak — Reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów - poznaj prawdę o tej chorobie
Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for peptic ulcer disease 2026. · J Gastroenterol 2026
Peptic ulcer disease: Insights and risk factors. · JPGN Rep 2026

Henryk Różański says that Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in about half of people, while peptic ulcer disease affects about one in ten.

The bacterium may contribute to ulcers, but it does not fully explain their causes.
Hubert Czerniak lists steroid medications as a possible cause of stomach ulcers.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Helicobacter pylori infection may contribute to peptic ulcer disease, but it does not fully explain it.

„Helicobacter pylori infection may contribute to the development of peptic ulcer disease. However, the cause of peptic ulcer disease cannot be attributed solely to this bacterium. Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the lining of the stomach and small intestine.”Rozwojowi choroby wrzodowej sprzyjać może zakażenie bakterią Helicobacter pylori. Nie można jednak etiologii choroby wrzodowej zwalić wyłącznie na tę bakterię. Helicobacter pylori jest bakterią spiralną, Gram-ujemną, zasiedlającą błonę śluzową żołądka i jelita cienkiego.

choroba wrzodowa

Henryk Różański

Infection does not always lead to ulcers: it occurs in about 50% of people, while peptic ulcer disease affects about 10%.

„It should be remembered, however, that Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in about 50% of people, while peptic ulcer disease affects about 10% of them. Other factors therefore also influence the development and course of peptic ulcer disease. The sensational claims made by journalists, and, worse still, by some medical professionals—that peptic ulcer disease is caused by Helicobacter pylori and that giving antibiotics is enough to deal with it and cure the disease—are another myth.”Należy jednak pamiętać, że zakażenie Helicobacter pylori występuje u ok. 50% ludzi, podczas gdy choroba wrzodowa u około 10% osobników. Inne czynniki mają więc również wpływ na postęp i przebieg choroby wrzodowej. Rewelacyjne wiadomości głoszone przez dziennikarzy, i co gorsze również niektórych medyków, że choroba wrzodowa jest spowodowana bakterią Helicobacter pylori i wystarczy podać antybiotyk, aby ją załatwić i wyleczyć chorobę jest kolejnym mitem.

choroba wrzodowa

Henryk Różański

Drinking a culture of Helicobacter pylori causes temporary inflammation of the stomach and small intestine, not peptic ulcer disease.

„Introducing Yersinia pestis into the body causes plague. By contrast, drinking a culture of Helicobacter pylori causes temporary inflammation of the stomach and small intestine, not peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori invading the wall of the stomach or duodenum. Image source: http://www.ambion.com/”Wprowadzenie do organizmu Yersinia pestis wywoła dżumę. Tymczasem wypicie hodowli Helicobacter pylori wywołuje przemijający nieżyt żołądka i jelita cienkiego, a nie chorobę wrzodową. Inwazja Helicobacter pylori do ściany żołądka lub dwunastnicy źródło obrazka: http://www.ambion.com/

choroba wrzodowa

Hubert Czerniak

Hubert Czerniak lists steroid medications as a possible cause of stomach ulcers.

„What does conventional medicine offer us? Methotrexate, an antifolate, and Encorton or Metypred, which are steroids that can lead to osteoporosis, reduced immunity, stomach ulcers, diabetes, or adrenal insufficiency. A long time ago, gold salts were used, and this was a very good treatment approach because 50% of patients were completely cured during treatment.”Co nam oferuje klasyczna medycyna? Methotrexat, czyli antymetabolit kwasu foliowego i Encorton lub Metypred, czyli steryd, którego następstwem jest osteoporoza, spadek odporności, wrzody żołądka, cukrzyca czy niewydolność nadnerczy. Kiedyś, dawno temu, stosowano sole złota i to była bardzo dobra droga leczenia, bo w czasie tej terapii 50% pacjentów całkowicie się leczyło.

Reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów - poznaj prawdę o tej chorobie

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 61.

Guidelines indicate that H. pylori infection and NSAID use are the two main causes of ulcers, and that treating them has helped reduce their frequency and mortality.

Aim of the study: In 2026, the fourth edition of the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for peptic ulcer disease by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) was revised. These revised guidelines cover epidemiology, hemorrhagic peptic ulcers, Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, non-eradication therapy, drug-induced ulcers, non-H.

Results: This edition presents options for H. pylori eradication in various situations compared with the previous edition, and recommends the most effective regimens, regardless of Japanese insurance coverage. In addition, a new flowchart outlining the eradication treatment process has been presented. Compared with the previous version, the main changes in pharmacological treatment are as follows: because of its acid-inhibiting properties compared with proton pump inhibitors, and growing evidence of its efficacy and safety, vonoprazan has now been selected as the first-line treatment for peptic ulcers and NSAID- and LDA-induced ulcers.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for peptic ulcer disease 2026. · J Gastroenterol 2026

Money for the studynot stated

Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it

Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES

Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a study of children, H. pylori infection and medication use were associated with a higher risk of peptic ulcer disease.

Aim of the study: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects adults and children, with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection being the most frequent cause. Diagnosis requires an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) and invasive tests. However, besides H. pylori, risk factors for PUD in children remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate pediatric PUD's epidemiology, etiology, and associated risk factors.

Results: Among 2355 eligible children, 335 with PUD (14.2%) and 670 controls were included. The median age was 9.9 years (IQR: 6.1-13.1). The main indications for endoscopy were dyspepsia (38.7%) and chronic abdominal pain (15.5%). H. pylori infection was more frequent in cases than controls (35.7% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for PUD included age ≥ 11 years (OR 1.83, 95% CI: 1.21-2.75; p = 0.004), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR 3.18, 95% CI: 1.15-8.82; p = 0.026), and concomitant medication use (OR 6.93, 95% CI: 3.51-13.7; p < 0.001). Epigastric tenderness, systemic diseases, and a family history of PUD or H. pylori infection were associated with PUD only in univariable analysis. Older age, concomitant medications, and H. pylori infection are risk factors for pediatric PUD. In a tertiary center, PUD remains a frequent and clinically relevant diagnosis among children undergoing UGE.

Peptic ulcer disease: Insights and risk factors. · JPGN Rep 2026

Money for the studynot stated

Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so

Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO

Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.