These are peptic ulcers which occur in the upper gastrointestinal tract, where the mucous membrane has broken down. They can lead to haemorrhage and death.

See also Map 78 Stomach cancer.

The highest rates on the male map are found in Glasgow, the north west of England, Nottingham, Inner London, Stoke and Newcastle. More rural areas tend to have lower rates. The female map does not have the high rates of males, although Glasgow, Manchester, and Nottingham all have higher rates than average, while in London the prevalence is lower than for males and more dispersed.

Peptic ulcers all occur in places where stomach acid can get. They occur in the oesophagus, stomach (gastric ulcers), duodenum and occasionally the jejunum. These lesions can cause pain, bleed and perforate (sometimes totally). Aspirin and alcohol can exacerbate them. Many of these types of ulcer are associated with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium which lives in the acidic environment of the stomach and is generally acquired in infancy or childhood.

Helicobacter pylori

The actor Rudolph Valentino and the author J. R. R. Tolkien died from ulcers.