Can You Heal A Stomach Ulcer

Try Cabbage To Treat Ulcers

Folk healers have traditionally advised people to drink cabbage juice during ulcer flare-ups. It might be worth a try because cabbage contains an amino acid called glutamine, which is thought to speed intestinal healing. Some alternative experts recommend juicing half a head of cabbage and drinking it once daily. Eating the same amount of raw cabbage will have similar effectsbut dont bother with cooked cabbage, because heat cancels the beneficial effects.

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Plantain Can Help Prevent Ulcers

This large, green, banana-like fruit is starchy and sticky in texture. It helps to soothe inflamed and irritated mucous membranes and has some antibacterial properties to boot. Studies on rats with ulcers caused by daily aspirin use have shown that unripe green plantain can both prevent the formation of ulcers and help to heal them. Plantain works its magic best when its unripe.

Recommended dose: Until human studies determine the amount that might help, use the fruit as they do in Latin America, where green plantain is eaten boiled like a potato. Avoid fried plantain, as the fat can aggravate ulcers.

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Causes Of Stomach Ulcers

A stomach ulcer can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Helicobacter pylori bacteria is thought to be responsible for around 60 per cent of stomach ulcers and at least 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers.
• Certain medications which include aspirin or clopidogrel, taken regularly to help prevent heart attack or stroke, and drugs for arthritis. Anti-inflammatory medications are thought to cause around two fifths of stomach ulcers.
• Cancer stomach cancer can present as an ulcer, particularly in older people.

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When Stomach Pain Is And Is Not An Emergency

Most stomach pains are harmless. They may be caused by overeating, gas or indigestion. If your pain is short-term, goes away after passing gases or stools and with over-the-counter products or home remedies, there is nothing to worry about.

If your belly pain is severe, doesn’t go away or it keeps coming back, talk to your doctor.

You may have belly pain because of some problem that needs to be treated immediately. You should contact your doctor in an emergency rather than use self-care if you have the following:

• Pain accompanied by a fever over 38.3 C or 101 F
• Severe pain, fainting or inability to move
• Pain that starts all over the belly but settles into one area, especially the lower right part of the belly
• Extremely tender-to-the-touch and swollen belly
• Pain lasting for more than a few hours
• Extreme discomfort/pain in the belly
• Unable to keep food down for more than two days

Are You Suffering A Drug Side Effect

Besides these underlying conditions, please beware that certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can also cause heartburn. Common culprits include anxiety medications and antidepressants, , blood pressure medications, nitroglycerin, osteoporosis drugs, and pain relievers.

If your heartburn is caused by a medication youre taking, the answer is, of course, to address what, when, and how youre taking that drug. Please do not make the mistake of simply adding yet another drug to counteract this side effect. WebMD4offers a number of helpful tips for how to address drug-induced heartburn, such as:

• Avoid taking more than the recommended or prescribed dose
• Some medications are best taken on an empty stomach, while others are less likely to cause side effects like heartburn when taken with a meal. Check the label for instructions, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on when and how to take your medication
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review ALL the medications and supplements youre taking to see if one or more of them cause heartburn.
• Changing the dose or switching to another medication may be advisable to ease your heartburn. Some drugs may be available in cream form rather than a pill, which would be far less likely to cause heartburn
• Avoid laying down right after taking your medication
• Drink some ginger tea

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What Is A Stomach Ulcer

A stomach ulcer, also called a gastric ulcer, is an open sore that develops in your stomach lining. You can also get one in your duodenum, the first part of the small intestine that your stomach feeds into. Duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers are both types of peptic ulcers. Theyre named for pepsin, one of the digestive juices that are found in the stomach and that sometimes leak into the duodenum. These juices are a contributing factor in peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcers occur when the protective mucous lining in your stomach and duodenum has been eroded, allowing gastric acids and digestive enzymes to eat away at your stomach and duodenal walls. This eventually results in open sores that are continually irritated by the acid. If left untreated, they can begin to cause serious complications, such as internal bleeding. Over time, they can even wear a hole all the way through. This is a medical emergency.

What To Expect On The Day Of Surgery

When you go to your surgery appointment, you will register and sign a consent form. You may have some pre-operative testing before you go to the pre-surgical area. These tests may include a chest X-ray, CBC, blood chemistry panel, and a urine test.

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will have your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen level checked.

If you are having stomach ulcer surgery for an emergency, like a perforation, your preparation will happen quickly. You will need to have IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion during this period.

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Fruits Vegetables Whole Grains And Other Foods High In Fibre Can Prevent Ulcers

Add another star to fibres crown. Besides keeping you regular, fibre has a role in keeping ulcers at bay, especially those in the duodenum. A number of studies have found that people who eat high-fibre diets have a lower risk of developing ulcers. In the Physicians Health Study from Harvard, researchers looked at the diets of 47,806 men and found that those who ate 11 grams or more of fibre from vegetables had a 32 per cent lower risk of developing duodenal ulcers.

Scientists arent sure how fibre helps, but it may be thanks to the fact that it slows the emptying of the stomach and thus reduces the amount of time the stomach lining and duodenum are exposed to digestive acids. Soluble fibre, the kind found in oats, beans, barley, peas, and pears, also forms a slippery goo in the stomach that acts as a barrier between the stomach lining and corrosive stomach acids.

Recommended dose: General health guidelines suggest getting 25 to 35 grams of fibre a day.

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Burning Pain In The Abdomen

Persistent burning pain in the abdomen is one of the first signs of a stomach ulcer. The sensation of pain occurs when juices in the stomach, which help in digestion, come into contact with an open sore in the stomach lining.

In most cases, the pain is felt from the breast bone to the navel, and it often worsens during the night. If you skip meals, particularly breakfast, you may also experience this burning sensation in the stomach during the daytime.

If the dull and burning ache of the ulcer often turns into a sharp, stabbing pain, it is a sign that your ulcer is acting up and you need medical help. It could mean that the ulcer has caused a more critical problem like a perforation in the wall of your stomach or intestine, or a blockage in your digestive tract, and it is triggering intense pain.

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Herbal Remedies That Help

You may have learned how to cure stomach ulcer permanently by changing your diet, but you can also try some herbal remedies to get better results. Here are some suggestions:

1. Licorice

Regular use of licorice may also help treat your stomach ulcers. Licorice is beneficial because it contains compounds beneficial for the lining of the stomach. You can make a cup of licorice tea for relief or even make licorice juice to treat stomach ulcers.

2. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm bark can help treat your stomach ulcers because it helps reduce acidity in your stomach. Simply take the slippery elm bark and grind it to make a fine powder. Consume this powder on a daily basis until you find some relief.

3. Calendula

This is a beneficial herb for anyone interested in learning how to cure stomach ulcer permanently. Just take the calendula and dry it. Then, use it to make a cup of calendula tea and drink it regularly for relief.

4. Yellow Root

Ulcers could be the result of the bacterium called H. pylori. It irritates the stomach lining and aggravates your condition. You may benefit from yellow root because it has antibiotic properties. You may also notice some relief from the burning sensation that is usually associated with ulcers.

How A Stomach Ulcer Is Treated

If youre experiencing a stomach ulcer, your health care provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a health care specialist who is specialty-trained in conditions affecting the GI system, including the stomach.

To confirm a diagnosis and help determine a treatment plan, he or she may perform a breath test to detect the presence of pylori bacteria. Blood tests and stool tests can also be used for the same purpose.

If a stomach ulcer is untreated, it can worsen and perforate. Its important to seek a diagnosis and treatment plan to properly alleviate your symptoms.

How long do stomach ulcers last? That depends on multiple factors, including the underlying cause of your ulcer. If you have a stomach ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori, youll be given an antibiotic to rid your body of the bacteria. Youll typically be told to take the medication for two to three weeks to fully clear the pylori bacteria from your system. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may even be prescribed a combination of antibiotics.

In addition, to ease the symptoms associated with the ulcer and allow the stomach to heal, your doctor will also likely prescribe a protein pump inhibitor or other similar medication to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach.

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Indications For Stopping Ppis

PPIs are often used longer than necessary. In about half of people who are hospitalized or seen at a primary care clinic there is no documented reason for their long-term use of PPIs. Some researchers believe that, given the little evidence of long-term effectiveness, the cost of the medication and the potential for harm means that clinicians should consider stopping PPIs in many people.

After four weeks, if symptoms have resolved, the PPI may be stopped in those who were using them for heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or inflammation of the esophagus if these last two were not severe. Stopping is not recommended in those with Barrett’s esophagus or a bleeding stomach ulcer. Stopping may be carried out by first decreasing the amount of medication taken or having the person take the medication only when symptoms are present.

Sweet Potatoes And Red Peppers

Potatoes are high in vitamin A and there is evidence that consuming this type of food can help reduce stomach ulcers and prevent them as well. Any food that has a good dose of vitamin A can benefit a lot, such as spinach, carrots, melon and beef liver.

Also, those that are rich in Vitamins C such as red pepper are excellent options, because this type of vitamin C plays an important role in wound healing, as in this case of ulcers. Other nutrients that contain it are: strawberries, broccoli, kiwi.

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Ask Your Doctor About Licorice

Its a traditional folk remedy for ulcers, and theres some evidence that its effective. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, a compound that is thought to soothe and strengthen the intestinal lining and help ulcers heal more quickly. The average daily dose is 1.5 to 3 grams, says Meyers, but talk to your doctor before taking this amount because of the increased risk of high blood pressure. Licorice should not be used on a regular basis for a prolonged timeno longer than for 4 to 6 weeks.

How Are Peptic Ulcers Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will look at your past health and give you a physical exam. You may also have some tests.

Imaging tests used to diagnose ulcers include:

• Upper GI series or barium swallow. This test looks at the organs of the top part of your digestive system. It checks your food pipe , stomach, and the first part of the small intestine . You will swallow a metallic fluid called barium. Barium coats the organs so that they can be seen on an X-ray.
• Upper endoscopy or EGD . This test looks at the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It uses a thin lighted tube called an endoscope. The tube has a camera at one end. The tube is put into your mouth and throat. Then it goes into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Your health care provider can see the inside of these organs. A small tissue sample can be taken. This can be checked for H. pylori.

You may also have the following lab tests to see if you have an H. pylori infection:

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How Is Peptic Ulcer Disease Diagnosed

Your doctor will do a physical exam. They will ask you questions about your medical history. Tell your doctor if you take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen frequently. Your doctor will look for stomach bloating. They will listen to sounds in your stomach with a stethoscope. Your doctor will tap your stomach to check for pain.

Your doctor may schedule a special procedure to look at your stomach. This is called an endoscopy. For this procedure, youll be given medicine to relax. The medicine may make you fall asleep. The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube down your throat. A tiny camera on the end of the tube displays the lining of your stomach and duodenum. The doctor may take a sample of your stomach lining . This is done to test for H. pylori. Blood, breath, and stool sample testing can also be used to check for H. pylori.

Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in severe complications and emergencies.

• Internal bleeding You can have bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or duodenum when the ulcer opens a blood vessel. Ulcers can cause bleeding that occurs slowly over time or quickly, possibly resulting in hemorrhaging that can be life-threatening due to shock. Sometimes you may not notice a bleeding ulcer until you become anemic, a condition in which your body lacks red blood cells because of inadequate iron. This occurs when ulcers cause chronic, low-grade blood loss.
• A hole, or perforation, in the stomach wall You can develop a perforated ulcer, which means it has eaten through your stomach or intestinal wall.
• Obstruction This is when you have swelling or scarring related to your ulcer that is preventing your food from being digested properly.

The signs that you are having an ulcer emergency are:

• Blood in stool
• Mental confusion
• Severe abdominal distension

If you think you or someone you know is having an ulcer emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

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Cure : Supplements & Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcer

Home remedies and supplements, in this case, go hand in hand. Home remedies could provide instant relief from the pain and the symptoms. However, using the supplements on a long term basis could not only cure your stomach ulcer, but it could also promote digestive health, thereby preventing the occurrence of an ulcer.

What Are The Signs You Have A Stomach Ulcer

The symptoms of a stomach ulcer are often similar to a regular upset stomach, says Andrew Boxer, MD, a gastroenterologist at Jersey City Medical Center in New Jersey. But usually, the symptoms of an ulcer will not go away.

The symptoms can vary widely. Some patients are completely asymptomatic, while some patients experience the worst pain of their life. There can also be anything in between, says Boxer. Some patients may see blood in their stool or even vomit blood. In rare instances, an ulcer can cause an obstruction, and the patient will have nausea and vomiting. Because ulcers can involve bleeding, some patients may show anemia or a lack of hemoglobin on a blood test.

The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain, says Alex Spinoso, MD, of Genesis Lifestyle Medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada. Occasionally the discomfort localizes to the right or left upper quadrants of the hypochondrium, the areas right below the chest on either flank where there are still ribs.

Typically, pain associated with a stomach ulcer happens two to five hours after a meal, when the stomach secretes acid and is mostly empty, and at night when acid secretion normally increases, says Spinoso. Without treatment, ulcer pain may last a few weeks, followed by symptom-free periods of weeks or months.

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Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcers

A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:

• dull pain in the stomach
• weight loss
• heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest)
• pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
• anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
• dark, tarry stools
• vomit thats bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they arent treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.