a. [ L. pepticus, Gr. peptiko`s. See Pepsin. ] 1. Relating to digestion; promoting digestion; digestive; as, peptic sauces. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Able to digest. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Tolerably nutritive for a mind as yet so peptic. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to pepsin; resembling pepsin in its power of digesting or dissolving albuminous matter; containing or yielding pepsin, or a body of like properties; as, the peptic glands. [ 1913 Webster ]
peptic ulcer, (Med.) an erosion of the mucous membrane forming the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or lower esophagus, originally believed to be due mostly to the action of gastric juice. Recently, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has been implicated as a causal agent in many peptic ulcers. In other cases, the use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as aspirin are believed to be to blame. Such ulcers may be treated with antibiotics or antisecretory agents that reduce stomach acidity, or both. Formerly believed to be a chronic illness that could only be managed, it is now viewed as a curable disease. [ PJC ]
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