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The surprising cause of stomach ulcers - Rusha Modi

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It’s a common misconception that stomach ulcers are caused by emotional upset, psychological distress, or spicy food. Yet no convincing study has ever demonstrated that these factors directly cause ulcer disease. So what does cause stomach ulcers? Rusha Modi explains how one doctor’s famous (and dangerous) experiment led us to the answer.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rusha Modi
  • Director Jonathan Trueblood
  • Animator David Morrison
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger, Jarrett Farkas
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
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Additional Resources for you to Explore
Advances in our understanding of stomach ulcers represents a fascinating evolution in scientific thinking as well as a unique case study on a scientist who experimented on himself. We now know that infections are a primary cause of these ulcers and can be treated with antibiotics, an idea once considered unbelievable.

In their more serious forms, ulcers can have numerous concerning complications including severe intestinal bleeding, blockage of the intestines, and even perforation, which is a full thickness tear of the stomach or small bowel that mandates surgery. HP itself is instrumental in the development of forms of gastric cancer. Fortunately, with the advent of powerful antacids such as omeprazole and the discovery of H. Pylori, some of these complications are not as common as they once were.

If you have access to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), such as through a university or library, read this insightful interview with Dr. Marshall on the 35th anniversary of his initial identification and culture of H. Pylori in a patient with ulcer disease.

The term stress ulcer does exist but refers not emotional challenges but rather to the presence of severe infection or medical illness such as in patients in intensive care units. The strain on the human body resulting from these problems can prompt severe ulcer disease. As such, patients are often prophylactically put on antacid therapy to help reduce their occurrence though some have questioned if these medications are overused.

H. Pylori has a nuanced effect on other elements of intestinal health. Symptoms of ulcers can overlap with those of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This has led to the widespread practice of routinely treating GERD patients with antibiotics if they have evidence of Helicobacter Pylori. However, we now know that if H. Pylori resides in some parts of the stomach but not others, it may relieve complaints of GERD. The implications of this concept on treatment regimens are still being investigated.
In addition, some have argued that overtreatment of Helicobacter Pylori has contributed, in part, to shifts in our gut microbiome that may have complicated and nuanced effects on our well-being. The microbiome refers to the totality of bacteria, primarily in our gut, that is essentially for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and maintenance of overall health. Rates of antibiotic resistance through overuse in our environment, however, have made it harder in turn to treat H. Pylori effectively. For a fascinating TED talk on the microbiome, click here.

For more information about ulcers, read this recent article in the New York Times about one reporter’s personal journey through the ordeal of suffering from an ulcer as well as clearing some of the misconceptions she has had about them: 6 things I learned about ulcers.


TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Although Helicobacter Pylori has been present with humans for a very long time, ulcers were comparatively rare before 1800. Since then, the prevalence of ulcers has increased and shifted from stomach to small intestinal ulcers, while overall ulcer mortality has declined. Why do you think this is?
09/21/2017
Avatar for Andrea Guevara Mendoza
Andrea Guevara Mendoza • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that ulcers are a problem for us as we eat in a very bad way, we do not respect that we should have a good diet to not have problems in our health.We must keep in mind that these problems can reach a very high level of risk and lead to difficulties in our life and health.

09/28/2017
Avatar for margarita monroy
margarita monroy • LESSON IN PROGRESS

From my point of view you can do all the bad abitos regarding the hygiene and the form of food that we have, we must consider that we can affect our physical integrity.

09/28/2017
Avatar for Edgar Salinas
Edgar Salinas • COMPLETED LESSON

because the advance of the medicines and the technology is increased and thus find new ways to cure the ulcers

09/28/2017
Avatar for Angélica Domínguez
Angélica Domínguez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Ulcers are caused by a bad habits at the time for dinner, for breakfast or for any other meal, we can prevent this if we have the correct nutriments and not eating junk food or fast food.

09/28/2017
Avatar for Dulce Moreno
Dulce Moreno • LESSON IN PROGRESS

because they are being given better *********** for gastrointestinal diseases thanks to the technology and it is easier to detect them

09/28/2017
Avatar for Abigail Teofilo
Abigail Teofilo • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I believe that The problem of ulcers is not only given by the way we feed, but as we saw in the video, it can also be due to Strees, since it is true that the motions are directed to our stomach. Fears or strange sensations also contribute as well as consumption of acidic foods

09/28/2017
Avatar for Jhardel Perez
Jhardel Perez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

because over time has been evolving science and created better medicines to combat this virus as well as ulcers

09/28/2017
Avatar for jocelyn garcia
jocelyn garcia • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think it is because of the passage of time, science is creating new things and discovering the true why of ulcers, as well as creating medicaments that counteract it

09/29/2017
Avatar for alondra flores muñiz
alondra flores muñiz • LESSON IN PROGRESS

The ulcers are caused by poor diet, because we do not eat breakfast in the morning and eat spicy things that is what causes us ulcers, we can avoid this if we have the right nutrients and not eat food on the street or junk.

09/29/2017
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be in good health, also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us.

09/29/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Andrea Guevara Mendoza Show the comment
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us, as avoid eating both spicy

09/29/2017
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us, as avoid eating both spicy

09/29/2017
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us, as avoid eating both spicy

09/29/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO margarita monroy Show the comment
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us, as avoid eating both spicy

09/29/2017
Avatar for Angelica Michel Navarrete
Angelica Michel Navarrete • COMPLETED LESSON

We must learn to take care of our food to prevent stomach diseases and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us, as avoid eating both spicy

09/29/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Angélica Domínguez Show the comment
Avatar for Heidi Baez Salvador
Heidi Baez Salvador • Ciudad de México , Mexico • COMPLETED LESSON

Because by the time this cure is invented, everything has a, because they have diminished the risk of someone suffering it is a serious problem for the health of any human being because sometimes we are not aware of what we do and we do not take care of our health

09/29/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Andrea Guevara Mendoza Show the comment
Avatar for Heidi Baez Salvador
Heidi Baez Salvador • Ciudad de México , Mexico • COMPLETED LESSON

Because by the time this cure is invented, everything has a, because they have diminished the risk of someone suffering it is a serious problem for the health of any human being because sometimes we are not aware of what we do and we do not take care of our health

09/29/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Andrea Guevara Mendoza Show the comment
Avatar for Heidi Baez Salvador
Heidi Baez Salvador • Ciudad de México , Mexico • COMPLETED LESSON

Because by the time this cure is invented, everything has a, because they have diminished the risk of someone suffering it is a serious problem for the health of any human being because sometimes we are not aware of what we do and we do not take care of our health

09/29/2017
Avatar for Cas SM
Cas SM • LESSON IN PROGRESS

The ulcers are not a problem because of the bad habits we have, I mean the way of eating, especially Mexico, that condumir spicy is very common, like gas drinks (such as soft drinks). In addition we are increasingly consumed by stress and anxiety. It is therefore necessary to inform us about ways to prevent, and if we have, to cure them.

09/30/2017
Avatar for Agustin Simon Gonzalez
Agustin Simon Gonzalez • COMPLETED LESSON

ulcers are caused by bacteria that werepreviously thought to be high acid levels

09/30/2017
Avatar for Hiram Elya Suárez León
Hiram Elya Suárez León • COMPLETED LESSON

I agree with Andrea since I think we do not eat properly, and also due to hygiene, we have to take care of ourselves more

09/30/2017
Avatar for Christopher Rosales
Christopher Rosales • LESSON IN PROGRESS

wow I did not know how the ulcers were generated in the stomach nor did I know what this really painful process was in the antiquity, however, now I know that you need to do surgeries at least to control the pain and with the passage of time it was possible to develop pills thanks to the technological and scientific advances.

09/30/2017
Avatar for Guadalupe Garcia
Guadalupe Garcia • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that this problem never will disapper and is very good that the science help to everybody when we have stomach ulcers.

09/30/2017
Avatar for Cristian Cruz Paz
Cristian Cruz Paz • LESSON IN PROGRESS

My uclers were a result of taking antibiotics before having oral sugery and it wiped out all my good gut bacteria.
If you have to take antibiotics at all,especially the ones that clear out your gut,load up on probiotics.

10/01/2017
Avatar for Mariana Cruz Paz
Mariana Cruz Paz • LESSON IN PROGRESS

he main bacteria found in the stomach by barry marshall is helicobacter pylori. Its a very prominent bacteria present in over 50% of people all over the world. Mainly linked with people with low haemoglobin. The problem is that taking antibiotics messes up our natural gut microflora.

10/01/2017
Avatar for hector angeles sanchez
hector angeles sanchez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that the human healt in complete is needs more care for have a good style life in all the process.

10/01/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Mariana Cruz Paz Show the comment
Avatar for Diana Ángeles
Diana Ángeles • COMPLETED LESSON

Everything has changed, now thanks to scientific advances people have access to medicines, in addition our eating habits are better than years ago.
I think we should take care of our health and go to the doctor constantly.

10/01/2017
Avatar for Aislinn Maldonado
Aislinn Maldonado • LESSON IN PROGRESS

The doctor took a great risk before so many sick people of the stomach, decided to risk everything to discover the true cause, he wanted to verify in himself but for weeks acquired the bacteria that he wanted to discover

10/01/2017
Avatar for Iris Laurent Cayetano
Iris Laurent Cayetano • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I agree with the comment of Daniel Rojas since the video tells us about ulcers in the stoma and what are the causes that bring us these

10/01/2017
Avatar for Danny Floress
Danny Floress • LESSON IN PROGRESS

we have to learn to take care of our food in order to prevent diseases of the stomach and to be well in health. Also attending the doctor at least once a month will help us improve our health and enjoy the food

10/01/2017
Avatar for TED MDEFISCH
TED MDEFISCH • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Doctors react to new truth like they did to the information presented here...1. they laugh at it-2. they reject it and . 3rd they are finally forced to accept it.. but at the cost of many human guinea pig lives. Give a probiotic ...a life giver to recover from the death giving antibiotic!, if not yeast,fungus and bad bacteria [which likely grows faster than the good bacteria in our body] get a head start.You heard this many times but give it a blue light rating.

10/01/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Danny Floress Show the comment
Avatar for Fernanda Garduño
Fernanda Garduño • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Can be because the mucosa is more enablend, have good food, aviod heavy or spicy food, aviod smoking and treated gastritis

10/01/2017
Avatar for Aurora Ángeles
Aurora Ángeles • COMPLETED LESSON

before there was not much science as there is now, there are now endorsed drugs that maintain stable gastrointestinal problems, we know what damages and we avoid consuming it

10/01/2017
Avatar for lupita glez
lupita glez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

the truth is a common misconception that stomach ulcers are caused by emotional upset, psychological discomfort or spicy food if they are not because the symptoms of gastric ulcers are caused by a vacteria and this produces abdominal pain after a meal, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and extreme tiredness.

10/02/2017
Avatar for Raul S
Raul S • LESSON IN PROGRESS

In my opinion the increased in ulcers could be related to bad life habits, and of course the declined in ulcer mortality is related to her advances in science and medicine, like for instance the experiment that lead to the discovery to the H Pylory.

10/02/2017
Avatar for DULCE MARIA GUADALUPE
DULCE MARIA GUADALUPE • COMPLETED LESSON

the ulcers appear by certain factors that unbalance the functioning of a body as complex as the stomach, if we add to this constant stress, some strange sensations and consumption of acid foods, the result are these ulcers unpleasant

10/03/2017
Avatar for Jesus Perez Mejia
Jesus Perez Mejia • LESSON IN PROGRESS

My point of view you can do all the bad abitos regarding the hygiene and the form of food that we have, we must consider that we can affect our physical integrity.

10/04/2017
Avatar for Maria Fernanda Vieyra
Maria Fernanda Vieyra • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I believe that The problem of ulcers is not only given by the way we feed, but as we saw in the video, it can also be due to Strees, since it is true that the motions are directed to our stomach. Fears or strange sensations also contribute as well as consumption of acidic foods

10/05/2017
Avatar for Paola Vieyra
Paola Vieyra • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Ulcers are caused by a bad habits at the time for dinner, for breakfast or for any other meal, we can prevent this if we have the correct nutriments and not eating junk food or fast food.

10/05/2017
Avatar for MöNsë Luciano
MöNsë Luciano • LESSON IN PROGRESS

it is a surprise to know that the processes that have to pass for surgery, is very painful but agradesco that is not so thanks to science is less painful, I think that in antiquity would not have endured a surgery as well

10/06/2017
Avatar for Alinne Aguilar
Alinne Aguilar • LESSON IN PROGRESS

We do not eat as it should be properly, which without realizing it little by little in the future will become an extremely greater problem for us

10/09/2017
Avatar for Alexis Gil
Alexis Gil • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that ulcers are a problem for us as we eat in a very bad way, we do not respect that we should have a good diet to not have problems in our health.We must keep in mind that these problems can reach a very high level of risk and lead to difficulties in our life and health.

10/25/2017
Avatar for hector angeles sanchez
hector angeles sanchez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that stomach ulcers appear in people by various factors, of which nobody is exempt, but we can avoid this type of disease by taking care of our food and the quality of life in which it encompasses the daily activities carried out day by day.

10/28/2017 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Alexis Gil Show the comment
Avatar for Abigail Carsten
Abigail Carsten • COMPLETED LESSON

Particularly in the last 100 years our diets have become less and less diversified, this can cause a decrease in the biodiversity of our gut bacteria. Not only this but antibiotics which can be present in meat and even soaps can also reduce the health of our gut bacteria which are particularly important in the intestines. An unhealthy gut microbiome could lead to susceptibility to infections by Helicobacter Pylori. At the same time we have antibiotics which can successfully heal peptic ulcers, making mortality rates decline. However it is important to remember the fragile state that antibiotics are in, H. Pylori already has diverse strains and a strain may easily become antibiotic resistant. In order for our antibiotics to remain effective, they should be used thoughtfully and in moderation.

11/01/2017
Avatar for Luis Moreno Vences
Luis Moreno Vences • LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that ulcers are a problem for us as we eat in a very bad way, we do not respect that we should have a good diet to not have problems in our health.We must keep in mind that these problems can reach a very high level of risk and lead to difficulties in our life and health.

11/07/2017
Avatar for Abigail Teofilo
Abigail Teofilo • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Gastritis is currently one of the diseases with more fame, because it is not only due to the poor diet that each of us have but also to the stress that we provoke, for this reason too much work, or to do everything until the end. I think the way our brain acts against this disease is very impressive, I like too much to eat spicy food, lemon and also soft drinks, but I also get stressed too fast, because I am very impatient so I am at risk of gastritis. .

11/07/2017
Avatar for Sireth Perez Cruz
Sireth Perez Cruz • COMPLETED LESSON

I really did not know how stomach ulcers were generated nor did I know what this really painful process was in antiquity, however, now I know you have to do surgeries at least to control the pain and over time it was possible to develop pills thanks to technological and scientific advances

12/08/2017
Avatar for Roxana Godoy
Roxana Godoy • COMPLETED LESSON

science and medicine never stops progressing looking for solutions to the diseases of society

12/08/2017
Avatar for Nabilah Begum
Nabilah Begum • Birmingham , United Kingdom • COMPLETED LESSON

My point of view about stomach ulcers is, that it does not necessarily have to be caused by food, although it could be caused by mental stress. In addition to this,
I believe that if we live a good healthy life we can prevent ourselves from getting these different types of illneses and pain in our body.

01/30/2018
Avatar for Nabilah Begum
Nabilah Begum • Birmingham , United Kingdom • COMPLETED LESSON

I agree with this statement because science continues ti find more cures on illneses, and othere unknown things that we don't know about.

01/30/2018 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Roxana Godoy Show the comment
Avatar for Nabilah Begum
Nabilah Begum • Birmingham , United Kingdom • COMPLETED LESSON

I agree with this opinion because its our diet that can prevent ourselves from cases like stomach ulcers.

01/30/2018 • 
IN RESPONSE TO hector angeles sanchez Show the comment
Avatar for Kenzi Flanagan
Kenzi Flanagan • COMPLETED LESSON

The shift in foods from "Out of the Garden" to "Processed" occurred sometime around the mid-1800s. The food we eat affects our health in more ways than just nutrition. The mortality has declined because of medical ad technological advancements in the modern age.

03/29/2018

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rusha Modi
  • Director Jonathan Trueblood
  • Animator David Morrison
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger, Jarrett Farkas
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • See more

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