produced by the stomach. If the valve at the lower end of the oestophagus becomes weak or defective, the acid juices in the stomach may be pushed back upwards into the oesophagus causing a burning sensation (heart-burn). This is often troublesome at night, when you lie flat. The underlying condition is called gastro-oesophageal reflux.

What is Peptic ulcer?

Peptic ulcer called now a days as Acid Peptic Disease (APD) is defined as inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach due to acid peptic digestion. In other words, there is a fight going on in the lining of the stomach against the irritation by H.pylori germs. The characteristic symptom of peptic ulcer is a burning type of pain in the upper abdomen that comes on in an empty stomach.Drinking a glass of milk releives the pain only to come back when the stomach gets empty after about two hours.The pain could be most severe in the early morning hours (around 3am) when the stomach is empty.Loss of appetite is not a feature of ulcer disease.

How Common is peptic ulcer?

Minor digestive disorders have become a part of our present day living style, which is a malady of affluent society with sedentary habits. This minor discomfort turns into a serious problem (beyond swallowing antacids off and on), requiring