Which of the following is not a primary cause of peptic ulcers?

• A. Gastritis
• B. H. pylori infection
• C. Aspirins and NSAIDs
• D. Spicy foods

Answer: (D)

Peptic ulcers arise from factors that actually weaken the stomach’s or duodenum’s mucosal defenses or increase damaging acid exposure. The two well-established primary causes are infection with Helicobacter pylori and use of aspirin or other NSAIDs. H. pylori irritates and inflames the gastric lining, promoting ulceration, while NSAIDs cut back protective prostaglandins, reducing mucus and bicarbonate production and mucosal blood flow. Gastritis often accompanies ulcer disease and reflects the same underlying processes, but it isn’t by itself the initiating cause. Spicy foods, on the other hand, do not start ulcers; they may irritate or worsen symptoms in someone with an existing ulcer or gastritis, but they don’t cause ulceration by the same mechanisms as H. pylori or NSAID use.