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Peptic ulcer home remedies

I have peptic ulcer.
(18 Mar 2008)

Peptic Ulcer Diet
If one has developed peptic ulcers, the only way to control get peptic ulcer pain relief is with a peptic ulcer diet. Peptic ulcers usually form in the upper portion of the small intestine which is called the duodenum or in the stomach itself. An ulcer is a painful open wound which becomes more painful if the wrong foods are eaten.


When certain foods irritate the ulcer these foods should be avoided completely. The diet of people who have peptic ulcers should be such that the acid production in excess is reduced and there should be less chances of heart burn with their diet. Smaller more frequent meals are better than 3 large meals as overeating will cause acidity; the diet should contain a lot of fiber from vegetables and fruits; relaxing before and after a meal helps to digest it without too much of acid production in the stomach; the food should be chewed well and eaten slowly; an early dinner at least three hours before going to bed is preferred; foods should have a low fat content while fried and spicy food should be avoided; tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, citrus foods and products which have a tomato base should be had in limited quantities and alcohol and smoking should be a complete taboo in their diet.

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms:
Though stomach pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom there are other symptoms too. Peptic ulcer symptoms of bloating and peptic ulcer symptoms of back pain also cause a lot of discomfort for the person suffering with this problem. Stomach pain which is brought on by peptic ulcers is a sharp pain between the navel and the breast bone and usually sets in a few hours after a meal or when the stomach is empty. Taking a medication for acidity or eating something could relieve the pain for a while. There could also be recurrent nausea and vomiting along with the stomach pain and lack of appetite, hiccupping and burping and loss of weight. Sometimes there could be blood in the vomit and the bowel movement could be blackish in color because of the presence of blood. A doctor should be consulted immediately if this happens as severe ulceration can cause a hole in the wall of the duodenum or the stomach.

Peptic Ulcer Treatment: Bleeding Peptic Ulcer Treatment
Peptic ulcer treatment which is brought on by H. pylori is different to bleeding peptic ulcer treatment. If there is bleeding because of the ulcer or a perforated ulcer then this has to be treated as an emergency as the bleeding has to be controlled. This may require and endoscopy with cautery and injection or even surgery to repair the damage.
Ulcers caused by the bacteria H.pylori are treated using a few medications which are combined for more beneficial results. Antibiotics along with antacids are prescribed twice a day for a period of two months. This is to heal the ulcer and lessen the acid secretion. As there is no definite proof of how the infection is spread, kissing is one possibility as these bacteria are found in saliva. Infection could also spread through water and food which is contaminated by the bacteria. To prevent infection it is best to maintain a high degree of hygiene and wash one’s hands after using the toilet and definitely before eating. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.

Causes of Peptic Ulcer:
When the H. pylori bacteria enter the system it weakens the coating in the stomach which is a protective layer as well as in the upper portion of the small intestine. This causes the acid to penetrate the lining of the tissue which is sensitive and enter the digestive system. The bacteria and acid cause irritation of the lining and this would result in ulcers or sores. Ulcers are not caused only by these bacteria but can happen for several other reasons too. However this is one of the main causes of peptic ulcers. People who take pain killers for inflammation and arthritis are also susceptible to ulcers. Smokers are prone to ulcers as the nicotine produces more acid in the stomach. Alcohol is another reason for ulcers as it wears the lining of the stomach and the intestines out. Stress is a cause for ulcers but more so because people who are under stress may not eat for long periods.  The main cause of ulcers is excess of acidity.

Bleeding Peptic Ulcer
Bleeding peptic ulcer which causes perforation in the posterior side is the cause of peptic ulcer pain in back. A bleeding peptic ulcer occurs when a blood vessel is eroded because of the ulcer and this could be a life threatening condition. Perforation in the wall of the intestine could cause spillage of the contents into the abdomen and lead to peritonitis. This is initially a chemical peritonitis and later turns into a bacterial one. The most prominent sign is severe abdominal pain which radiates all the way to the back.

Peptic Ulcer Pain
Peptic ulcer pain is acute while peptic ulcer pain symptoms include many variable ones all related to digestion. The main symptom for peptic ulcer is pain in the abdominal region which also radiates to the back sometimes. However, bloating and a feeling of fullness in the stomach is another symptom which is common to most people who suffer with peptic ulcers. There is often a lot of saliva secreted especially after regurgitation which the body’s way of diluting the acid in the gullet. Sometimes there could be hematemesis or blood in the vomit which could be directly from the ulcer or from damage caused to the gullet during a sever bout of vomiting. The feces could have a foul smell because of oxidized iron from the blood. When there is a drastic change in the symptoms a doctor should be seen immediately.

Peptic Ulcer Diagnosis
One of the best ways for peptic ulcer diagnosis is gastroscopy. This method involves viewing the duodenum, stomach and gullet lining with a minute fiber optic camera which the patient is made to swallow. This should be done prior to any antacid being taken. The patient is given a mild sedative and made to swallow the tube with the camera at the end of it and this helps the doctor to see if there is an ulcer and also collect a tissue for biopsy. A barium x-ray is also used sometimes but is not as reliable as the gastroscopy.
answered by G R on 9 Feb 2011, 11:46:47

 

Home Cure for Peptic Ulcers

The best cure for peptic ulcer is change in dietary habits. A good and nutritious diet is essential for maintaining the continuous metabolization of vital body organs that eventually helps in neutralizing the gastric acid.

The bets food products that help in deactivating gastric juices and treating ulcers are milk, butter, cream, boiled vegetables and fruits. Banana, dates and mango are the best food for curing ulcer. These food products will gradually reduce the stomach acid and treat peptic ulcers.

Plantain is another beneficial cure for treating ulcers. Many fruits especially banana and plantain are antiulcerogenic and are used for treating ulcers since time immemorial. Both banana and plantain contain Vitamin U, a special vitamin to fight against ulcer.

Cabbage is also used for the natural treatment of peptic ulcers. Juice extracted from cabbage is useful for alleviating pain healing ulcers. You can even consume boiled cabbage and notice the wondrous effects.

Another alternative cure for peptic ulcer is a mixture of almond paste and milk. This mixture helps in binding excess of stomach acid and eventually heals ulcers.

You also need to avoid certain foods that can worsen the condition. These foods include raw fruits, potato, flesh foods, sugar, condiments, tobacco, coffee and tea. These foods either stimulate irritation or undergo an acidic reaction; in both cases the ulcers will become worse.

answered by J on 18 Mar 2008, 1:48:59

 

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