Problem
There's a lowly, but strong, bacteria. Helicobacter pylori, more informally known as H. pylori, have begun to create an open wound in the lining of your stomach or duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of small intestine. It's connected to the lower end of the stomach.) A duodenal ulcer is four times more common than a stomach ulcer, and they both are referred to as peptic ulcers.
Your ulcer has begun to make its presence known with pain and burning in the upper part of your abdomen.

Cause
The H. pylori bacterium accounts for almost 80 percent of all ulcers. People seem to pick up the bacterium as lids.
In fact, H. pylori are present in almost 50 percent of adult American stomachs, but that doesn't mean that everyone will develop a full-fledged ulcer. No one knows why ulcers develop from the bacteria in some people and not others, although stress, smoking, and some foods may be a factor. Other than bacteria, the other minor cause for ulcers is consistent use of aspirin and other painkillers.

How Serious
Although ulcers aren't necessarily serious, the pain of an ulcer is famous for waking its sufferer up in the middle of the night. The discomfort is episodic, however. It lasts for a couple of days or weeks and then goes away, but it always returns. Ulcers sometimes grow so large or do so much damage that they produce bleeding as well as lots of scarring. If you see blood in your stool (it looks black) or have severe stomach pain and a high fever, then you should go and see a doctor.

Solutions
If stress is contributing to your ulcer, relaxing music may help. --- Janalea Hoffman, R.M.T., a composer and music therapist based in Kanas City, Missouri.
Suggested pieces: Deep Daydreams and Musical Massage (Janalea Hoffman)
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