Natural remedies for stomach ulcers come in a variety of forms, and can be quite helpful in both healing and relieving the uncomfortable symptoms associated with them. A peptic ulcer is a spot where the lining of the stomach or small intestine and the underlying tissues-in some cases even the stomach muscle itself-have been eroded, leaving an open internal wound. The tissue surrounding the wound is usually swollen and irritated. Ulcers can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, but are most common in the stomach (gastric ulcers) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers), which is the portion of the small intestine closest to the stomach.
Peptic ulcers affect approximately 5 million Americans each year, and it is estimated that they will affect approximately 10 percent of Americans at some point during their lives.
An ulcer is caused when the lining of the stomach fails to properly protect it against the effects of digestive acids and enzymes, which in effect, begin to digest the stomach itself.
It was once believed that stress and anxiety were the main cause of ulcers. However, more recently, evidence has shown ulcers to be the result of infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria combined with stomach acid. H. pylori can live on the lining of the stomach and small intestine, where it can cause damage to the lining, and also in the mucous layer that protects the lining from digestive acids.
Many health care professionals believe that the bacteria are transferred from person to person through close contact. However, many also still consider stress to be a risk factor for peptic ulcers, as it increases the production of stomach acid.
Taking certain drugs and supplements may also increase the body's production of stomach acid. Taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially for long periods of time, can increase stomach acidity and cause ulcers. Steroids, such as those taken for arthritis, can also contribute to stomach ulcers. Having a family history of ulcers increases your risk, as does alcohol consumption.
Heavy smokers are more prone to developing ulcers, and also have a more difficult time getting them to heal. Also African-Americans and Latinos are twice as likely as Caucasians to develop ulcers.
If left untreated, ulcers can cause internal bleeding or perforation of the stomach or small intestine.
The following natural remedies for stomach ulcers should prove to be quite helpful.
The symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include chronic burning or a gnawing stomach pain that usually begins about 45 minutes to an hour after eating, or at night. They can often be relieved by eating, taking antacids, vomiting, or drinking a large glass of water. The pain may vary from mild to severe, and it may wake the person up in the middle of the night.
Other possible symptoms may include lower back pain, headaches, a choking sensation, itching, and possibly nausea and vomiting.
There are various natural remedies for stomach ulcers which should bring relief to all of these symptoms.
If you have not been diagnosed with an ulcer, we recommend that you take this simple test before using these natural remedies for stomach ulcers, to be sure that you are treating it in the right direction.
If you suffer from stomach pain, you can tell if the problem is caused by excess stomach acid with this simple test. When you are experiencing the pain, simply swallow a tablespoon of either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
If doing this causes the pain to cease or ease significantly, then you probably have too little stomach acid, instead of too much. If it makes your stomach pain worse, then you may have an overly acidic stomach, in which case the natural remedies for stomach ulcers which follow should help to correct the problem.
These natural remedies for stomach ulcers are the ones which should be most helpful, and we recommend trying them first.
These natural remedies for stomach ulcers should prove beneficial, depending on which symptoms you are most struggling with, and we recommend experimenting with some or all of them to see which ones are most beneficial for you. They should all prove helpful.
Herbs can prove to be very beneficial natural remedies for stomach ulcers, but a few of them need to be used cautiously. We have listed those cautions here, so as to avoid any accidental problems which could possibly result.
The following natural remedies for stomach ulcers have mostly to do with diet, and the forms of food we eat. These are especially important if the person is struggling with relatively severe symptoms, but should prove beneficial to anyone who is suffering from an ulcer.
Eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables. They are high in vitamin K, which is needed for healing, and is quite likely deficient in people who are struggling with digestive disorders.
Do not consume coffee (even decaffeinated) or alcoholic beverages.
Drink freshly made cabbage juice daily. Drink it immediately after juicing.
If symptoms are severe, eat soft foods such as avocados, bananas, potatoes, squash and yams. Put vegetables through a blender or food mill, and eat vegetables like broccoli and carrots occasionally, well steamed.
Eat frequent small meals. Include well cooked millet, well cooked rice, raw goat's milk, and soured milk products such as yogurt, cottage cheese and kefir. Drink barley, wheat, and alfalfa juice. They contain chlorophyll, making them potent anti-ulcer treatments.
If you have a bleeding ulcer, eat organic baby foods or steamed vegetables blended in a blender or mashed. Then add nonirritating fiber such as guar gum and/or psyllium seed. These are easy to digest and contain no chemicals.
For quick pain relief, drink a large glass of water, as this dilutes the stomach acid and flushes it out through the duodenum.
Avoid fried foods, tea, caffeine, chocolate, animal fats of any kind, and carbonated drinks. Instead of drinking soda, sip distilled water with a bit of lemon juice added.
Avoid salt and sugar, as they have been linked to increased stomach acid production.
Reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates, as they have been linked to peptic ulcers.
Do not drink cow's milk. Even though it neutralizes existing stomach acid, the calcium and protein it contains actually stimulate the production of more stomach acid, and it is known to be associated with the occurrence of ulcers. Almond, rice, or soy milk are known to be good substitutes.
Chew your food thoroughly, as this improves digestion. Taking bitters also improves digestion; place 10 to 15 drops under your tongue before meals.
Allow teas and other hot beverages to cool before drinking them, as they may cause gastric discomfort if consumed while too hot.
Keep your colon clean. Make sure your bowels move daily, and take cleansing enemas periodically.
Do not smoke. Smoking can delay or even prevent healing, and it makes relapse more likely.
Avoid painkillers which contain aspirin or ibuprofen. They are present in many over-the-counter-remedies, so read the labels carefully.
Try to avoid stressful situations. Learn increased stress management techniques.
Physicians can use 2 methods to locate a peptic ulcer: an upper GI series in which you drink a chalky barium liquid and then have several x-rays taken of the stomach and duodenum. The other is an endoscopy, which consists of the physician inserting a thin, lighted tube attached to a camera down through your throat and into your stomach and duodenum.
While prescription and over-the-counter drugs may temporarily relieve the symptoms of ulcers, they do not get to the root of the problem, which is damaged tissue. They simply offer temporary relief by reducing stomach acid. In the long run they may make the problem worse, as they can lead you to believe that the ulcer has been cured when that is not the case. They also disrupt the normal digestive processes and alter the structure and functioning of the tissues which line the digestive tract.
With treatment, most peptic ulcers heal, but it may take 8 weeks, or even longer, for healing to be complete.
Antacids are often recommended for people with ulcers. If you must take antacids, avoid taking products which contain aluminum, as it has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
People who take Tagamet or Zantac for ulcers should be cautious about consuming alcohol, as these drugs can magnify the effects of alcohol on the brain.
A simple procedure using Kool-Aid to test for the presence of stomach ulcers has been developed by the Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. The person being tested is given 2 glasses of Kool-Aid made with extra sugar. Then, after a short time, the person takes a urine test. In people with ulcers, the sugar leaks across the stomach wall and shows up in the urine as undigested sugar. If there is no ulcer, the sugar is broken down normally by the body.
Infection with H. pylori is very common. However, for reasons unknown, only about one out of six infected people actually wind up developing ulcers. Your physician can test for its presence by taking a direct biopsy of the stomach lining, a blood test, or a breath test. If you test positive, there are several antibiotic treatments your physician can prescribe.
Peptic ulcers were once thought to be a chronic illness that you just "have to live with." However, it is now known that over 90 percent of peptic ulcers can be healed with proper treatment.
Sometimes a combination of 2 prescription medications (Prilosec, an ulcer medication, and Biaxin, an antibiotic), will be prescribed to treat peptic ulcers. These drugs should not be used for an extended period of time, as they have known side effects.
Many experts believe that food allergies may be a cause of ulcers.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers cause very similar symptoms. However, GERD is both more common, and usually less serious than peptic ulcers.
We hope that you will find the natural remedies for stomach ulcers that we have listed here to be beneficial.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.
Sources
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006
Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995
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