peptic ulcer

2 definitions found

peptic ulcer - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Peptic \Pep"tic\ (p[e^]p"t[i^]k), a. [L. pepticus, Gr.
     peptiko`s. See Pepsin.]
     1. Relating to digestion; promoting digestion; digestive; as,
        peptic sauces.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Able to digest. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Tolerably nutritive for a mind as yet so peptic.
                                                    --Carlyle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to pepsin; resembling pepsin
        in its power of digesting or dissolving albuminous matter;
        containing or yielding pepsin, or a body of like
        properties; as, the peptic glands.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     peptic ulcer, (Med.) an erosion of the mucous membrane
        forming the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or lower
        esophagus, originally believed to be due mostly to the
        action of gastric juice. Recently, the bacterium
        Helicobacter pylori has been implicated as a causal
        agent in many peptic ulcers. In other cases, the use of
        non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as
        aspirin are believed to be to blame. Such ulcers may be
        treated with antibiotics or antisecretory agents that
        reduce stomach acidity, or both. Formerly believed to be a
        chronic illness that could only be managed, it is now
        viewed as a curable disease.
        [PJC]

peptic ulcer - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  peptic ulcer
      n 1: an ulcer of the mucous membrane lining of the alimentary
           tract [syn: peptic ulcer, peptic ulceration]