What factors contribute to peptic ulcers? They can be broadly categorized as follows: 1. Helicobacter pylori infection This bacterial infection is the primary cause of chronic gastritis, which is closely linked to peptic ulcers. Most peptic ulcer patients also have chronic gastritis.The detection rate of Helicobacter pylori in gastric ulcers ranges from 70% to 90%, while in duodenal ulcers, it reaches as high as 95% to 100%. Therefore, any ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori infection requires combined antibiotic therapy for potential cure.II. Drug Abuse Aspirin, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and corticosteroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone can all trigger peptic ulcers, with aspirin being particularly potent. III. Psychological Factors Negative emotions and mental stress can increase gastric acid secretion through the neuroendocrine system and impair blood supply to the gastrointestinal mucosa, thereby causing peptic ulcers.Clinically, it is common to encounter young adults who develop digestive tract ulcers or even bleeding after prolonged fatigue and constant stress. IV. Irregular Eating Habits Binge eating or irregular meal patterns can impair gastric digestive function, leading to indigestion and malnutrition. Malnutrition weakens the protective barrier of the gastric mucosa, facilitating ulcer formation and hindering mucosal repair.V. Snacking Habits: Snacking stimulates gastric acid secretion. However, since the food intake is minimal, excessive gastric acid not required for digestion can erode the gastric and duodenal mucosa itself, causing peptic ulcers.VI. Smoking: Nicotine in tobacco damages the gastric mucosa. Long-term smoking also increases gastric acid secretion; allows bile reflux into the stomach, damaging the gastric mucosa; inhibits pancreatic secretion of HCO3, reducing acid neutralization capacity; and lowers prostaglandin levels in the mucosa—prostaglandins protect gastrointestinal mucosa.All these factors indicate that smoking is a significant causative factor in peptic ulcers. VII. Alcohol Consumption Alcohol stimulates gastric acid secretion and directly damages the gastric mucosa. Individuals with a drinking habit who also smoke frequently or take medications like aspirin long-term are at higher risk of developing ulcers. VIII. Genetics The recurrence rate is high among families with ulcer patients;The probability of identical twins developing ulcers simultaneously exceeds 50%. Among duodenal ulcer patients, blood type O is more common than other blood types. IX. Geographic Environment and Climate The incidence of peptic ulcers varies across different regions. According to relevant gastroscopy data, the regional characteristics of peptic ulcers in China show higher rates in the south than in the north, and higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas.Climate changes also contribute to ulcer onset, with peak incidence occurring during autumn-winter and winter-spring transitions. X. Impact of Other Chronic Diseases: Duodenal ulcer incidence is three times higher in emphysema patients than in the general population;Coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis can impair gastric mucosal blood supply, hindering ulcer healing. Patients with liver cirrhosis have a 2–3 times higher incidence of peptic ulcers than the general population, while hepatitis B patients with surface antigen positivity exhibit a gastric ulcer incidence as high as 33%.