“For years and years and years, we all believed ulcers were caused by bad diet, bad lifestyle, stress, and too much acid,” explains Dr. H. Scott Harris, a gastroenterologist on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.

But ulcers can start before food even passes through your body, in the form of harmful bacteria. “It’s actually something that’s spread through water. Unwashed fruits or vegetables can pass it,” explains Dr. Harris. He adds it’s important to always wash your fruits and vegetables, but the problem may not always in what you eat.

“It can be passed from person to person within the saliva. “I’ve never heard it referred to as the kissing illness but it could be another one of those.” It’s important to pay attention to your body and not overlook any warning signs.

“You may have heard the expression, ‘feed an ulcer’ when you think about it, its something you put in your stomach, food – it helps naturalize the acid, and other enzymes that are there, then the pain or discomfort will go away for a while then 30 minutes to an hour after eating is when patients will develop abdominal pain,” warns Dr. Harris. There are other signs of a potential ulcer. “Another big warning sign of symptom is nausea or feeling sick to their stomach and vomiting. Some patients are even presented with halitosis or bad breath.”

The doctor’s orders? Keep yourself and your food clean and pay attention to your body to help ward off any problematic ulcers.