Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are postponing the rest of their shows for September as Springsteen is being treated for peptic ulcer disease.
“Over here on E Street, we’re heartbroken to have to postpone these shows,” said Springsteen in a statement on social media posted Wednesday evening.
The announcement has left many scrambling to figure out just what is wrong with The Boss. Here's a look at the disease, treatments and prognosis:
What is peptic ulcer disease? Peptic ulcer disease is sores or ulcers that develop in the stomach lining or the beginning of the small intestine,
according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can be quite painful.
Peptic ulcers can be gastric ulcers in the stomach or duodenal ulcers that appear on the upper portion of the small intestine, the Mayo Clinic states.
What causes peptic ulcers? There are two common causes of these types of ulcers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
One is a bacteria infection called bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The other is prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen,
which Advil is an example, and naproxen sodium, which is available in Aleve. Spicy foods and stress don't cause these ulcers, however, they both can worsen the symptoms, experts say.
Most common symptoms of peptic ulcers The Mayo Clinic states that the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is burning stomach pain.
Others could be feeling of fullness, bloating or belching; intolerance to fatty foods; heartburn; and nausea. However, many people may not have any symptoms.
Less common symptoms can include: vomiting or vomiting blood, dark blood in stools, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, weight loss and changes in appetite, the clinic says.