7. Stress: The Underestimated Culprit
While short-term stress might give you a headache or a sleepless night, chronic stress can have a deeper, more profound effect on the body, particularly on the gut.
The body reacts to stress by releasing stress hormones like cortisol, which in turn can increase stomach acid production. This isn’t much of an issue occasionally. However, chronic stress ensures a consistent elevation of stomach acid levels, which can prove problematic for the delicate lining of the duodenum.
Chronic stress may also impair the body’s ability to heal itself efficiently. For the duodenum, which could be regularly battling with minor irritations and erosions, this slowed healing process can provide a window for ulcers to develop and persist.
People under constant stress often resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking, overindulgence in alcohol, or excessive caffeine intake. These, as previously highlighted, are independent risk factors for duodenal ulcers.(7)
