Normally, you have just the right amount of stomach acid to break down your food. But if something throws your stomach off, the acid can eat away at its lining and cause an ulcer. This can happen because of:
- H. pylori, a type of bacteria
- Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Use of some medicines, such as steroids and a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used to treat depression.