Foods Ok To Eat With Ulcer

Ulcer Diet: The Best Nigerian Foods To Eat And What To Avoid

This post was written by Margaret Ojeniyi and edited by Lani Sodunke.

Ulcer is the inflammation of the stomach, oesophagus, or intestine lining that affects both the young and old. Ulcer is caused by long-term use of non-steroidal inflammatory medicines and a bacterial called Helicobacter Pylori .

Ulcer episodes happen when acids from food eaten causes damage to the stomach walls. Some of the symptoms of ulcer include:

• Indigestion
• Feeling full
• Stooling and vomiting

Untreated ulcer can lead to persistent pain, bleeding, and life-threatening stomach cancer risk. However, speaking with a medical expert and following ulcer friendly diet can go a long way to relieve the symptoms and make you feel better.

Some Important Pointers Regarding Ulcers

Ulcers can be quite a painful affair, so proper precautions must be exercised so as not to aggravate them. Here are some points to consider if you are affected by this condition.

• Eat small, regular meals instead of having larger meals. Smaller meals can be easily digested, without putting too much strain on the stomach.
• Foods containing flavonoids and probiotics like green teas, yogurt, etc., have a soothing effect on the ulcer pain.

• Avoid oily as well as spicy foods, as these may flare up the ulcer, causing more pain and discomfort. Foods containing chilies, chili powder, black and red pepper, etc., tend to irritate the inner lining of the stomach and aggravate this condition.
• Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks should also be strictly avoided. These drinks increase the acidity levels in the stomach and also the intensity of pain.

• Nicotine can also exacerbate the ulcer and even cause bleeding. So, smoking should be completely stopped to avoid this complication.
• Modifying the lifestyle accordingly will prove beneficial in treating this condition successfully and also in preventing the recurrence of ulcers and other problems related to the digestive system.

The aforementioned food restrictions will help reduce the intensity of the ulcer and bring down the pain. Apart from food, appropriate medications and routine checkup with a health care provider can provide relief from this health disorder without any serious complications.

What Ulcer Treatments Are Available

If your ulcer is bleeding, your doctor may treat it during an endoscopy procedure by injecting medications into it. Your doctor could also use a clamp or cauterization to seal it off and stop the bleeding.

For most people, doctors treat ulcers with medications, including:

• Proton pump inhibitors : These drugs reduce acid, which allows the ulcer to heal. PPIs include Prilosecî, Prevacidî, Aciphexî, Protonixî and Nexiumî.
• Histamine receptor blockers : These drugs also reduce acid production and include Tagametî, Pepcidî, Zantacî and Axidî.
• Antibiotics: These medications kill bacteria. Doctors use them to treat H. pylori.
• Protective medications: Like a liquid bandage, these medications cover the ulcer in a protective layer to prevent further damage from digestive acids and enzymes. Doctors commonly recommend Carafateî or Pepto-Bismolî.

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When To Seek Medical Advice

You should visit your GP if you think you may have a stomach ulcer.

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• vomiting blood the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds
• passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
• a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse

These could be a sign of a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.

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Assess Your Individual Tolerance

No evidence suggests that spicy or citrus foods affect ulcer disease, although some individuals do report worsening of symptoms after eating these types of foods. It is important to find out what works for you. If you notice that your symptoms get worse after eating certain foods, then limit or avoid them so you can feel your best, making sure that you dont eliminate an entire food group.

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Gerd Diet: Foods That Help With Acid Reflux

Getting a case of acid reflux once in a while isnât unusual, but some people suffer from burning discomfort, bloating and belching almost every time they eat. About 20% of the population has gastroesophageal reflux disease , a chronic acid reflux condition thatâs diagnosed by a doctor.

Normally, the esophageal sphincter protects the esophagus from stomach acid. However, if the sphincter relaxes, food can push upward through the loosened opening and cause acid reflux.

âDiet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD,â says Ekta Gupta, M.B.B.S., M.D., gastroenterologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

What Foods Can Ulcer Sufferers Eat

I have a family member suffering from an ulcer.

She is trying to control it with her diet and asked me for advice, so of course, I researched this painful, debilitating infection.

Discovering much conflicting and contradictory information, I finally found some consistent information.

Yes, an ulcer is an infection however, there are 3 major types of ulcers

• peptic
• gastric
• duodenal.

All are basically born from an infection called Helicobacter Pylori or commonly referred to as H. Pylori.

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What Is Best Treatment For Stomach/duodenal Ulcers

There are several ways to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers. One of the most common causes of stomach ulcers is Helicobacter pylori.

This bacterium is more prevalent in some populations than others. But even in people who have antibodies to H. pylori, the bacteria can cause ulcers.

This is because H. pylori can live in the stomach without causing an ulcer, but it can also cause ulcers in the small intestine.

However, there is no definitive test to tell if someone is infected, and treatment can be both time-consuming and expensive.

There are many different types of ulcers, and many different ways to treat them. Ulcers can be mild and can go away on their own, or they can be more severe and require medical help.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to help treat stomach and duodenal ulcer. Treatments include taking antacids , avoiding foods that cause stomach pain, and even surgery.

Diet For Duodenal Ulcer Patients

For patients suffering from the H pylori related duodenal ulcers, treatment is often done using antibiotics. There are some ulcers of this type that are not related to the H pylori bacteria and for that antacid, other related medications are considered effective. In this regard, it is relevant to mention that H pylori infection related risk reduction can be achieved using commonsense, simple hygiene practices include washing of hands using soap and water prior to food preparation are very useful. Keeping a watch on your diet can help in controlling the symptoms of duodenal ulcer.

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Foods To Eat With A Peptic Ulcer

A bland diet is generally your best bet when dealing with a peptic ulcer. These foods are low in acidity, saturated fats, and spiciness.

Another rule of thumb is to choose foods that are high in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Studies have shown that fiber-rich diets reduce the risk of peptic ulcers by lowering stomach acids. Foods that are rich in vitamin A have similar effects.

Foods that are probiotic can speed healing by blocking H. pylori from attaching to the lining of the stomach. Probiotic-rich foods include pickled vegetables as well as certain fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.

Foods rich in flavonoids are also believed to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in the gut. These plant-based nutrients are found in berries and many other fruits and vegetables.

Among the foods you can eat if you have a peptic ulcer are:

• Bean and legumes, which are fiber-rich
• Eggs, which are rich in vitamin A
• Fish, including fatty fish that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats
• Fiber-rich fruits, like apples, bananas, strawberries, and raspberries
• Flavonoid-rich foods, like cranberries, kale, broccoli, celery, and all berries
• Leafy green vegetables, which are rich in vitamin A
• Orange and yellow vegetables, like sweet potatoes and summer squash that are also rich in vitamin A
• Pickled foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, and dill pickles
• Lean meats and poultry

What Are Some Ulcer Symptoms

Some people with ulcers dont experience any symptoms. But signs of an ulcer can include:

• Gnawing or burning pain in your middle or upper stomach between meals or at night.
• Pain that temporarily disappears if you eat something or take an antacid.
• Bloating.

In severe cases, symptoms can include:

• Dark or black stool .

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Why Are The Best Foods For An Ulcer Important To Know

While there are some foods that can help with an ulcer, this post will also cover the foods to avoid if you have an ulcer. What you do eat is just as important as what you dont eat. Food sensitivities and/or allergies can be harmful to the digestive tract and trigger an ulcer causing painful acid reflux. Its for this reason that a lot of people who have ulcers have success with the certain elimination diets. If you are having ongoing digestive issues, I always recommend writing a food journal as well as starting an elimination diet to help you rule out any sensitive foods. This list is also a great place to start.

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The Best Food To Eat For A Stomach Ulcer

Fact Checked

Stomach ulcers, or gastric ulcers, are sores that develop in the stomach, usually as a result of an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria. In the past, it was thought that diet and stress played a role. Common symptoms of gastric ulcers include abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea and weight loss. Ulcers are fairly common, affecting about 10 percent of Americans at some point in their lives, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although foods generally do not cause ulcers, they can irritate the condition and slow healing, so if you have an ulcer, its best to know what you can eat.

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Is Cream Cheese Bad For Acid Reflux

In general, all cream cheese products are a trigger for reflux, thats why you should avoid them.

However, there are some differences to point out.

The most important is that low-fat cream cheese and even better fat-free cream cheese make a much smaller contribution to the occurrence of acid reflux and heartburn than full-fat cream cheese.

Its a matter of choice, you must avoid the ones that for sure can trigger reflux more than others.

To this end, you can replace full-fat cream cheese with some good alternatives, such as:

• peanut butter
• jam

Eating in small portions may help in turn, just because heavy meals are a trigger in most cases, whatever foods you introduce.

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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What Are The Risk Factors For Atrophic Gastritis

Youre more likely to develop AG if you have an H. pylori infection. This type of infection is fairly common around the world. It is more prevalent in areas of poverty and overcrowding.

Autoimmune AG is quite rare, but people who have thyroid disorders or diabetes are more likely to have this condition. Youre also more at risk if youre African-American or of northern European descent.

AG is more common in people who are of Hispanic or Asian descent.

Both AG and autoimmune AG can significantly increase your risk of stomach cancer.

Many cases of AG go undiagnosed because there are usually no symptoms. However, if an H. pylori infection is present, common symptoms include:

• stomach pain

Gastritis Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid

• Outlook

The term gastritis refers to any condition that involves inflammation of the stomach lining. Eating certain foods and avoiding others can help people manage gastritis symptoms.

Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and severely, while chronic gastritis lasts for a longer time.

Different factors cause different types of gastritis. Symptoms include:

• indigestion
• nausea
• feeling full

For most people, gastritis is minor and will go away quickly after treatment. However, some forms of gastritis can produce ulcers or increase the risk of cancer.

Diet is an important player in your digestive and overall health. Following a gastritis-friendly diet can go a long way toward relieving your symptoms and helping you feeling better.

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When To See The Doctor For Ulcers

If you think you have an ulcer, make a point of seeing the doctor. This is especially so if you vomit and notice blood in the vomit or the vomit looks like coffee grounds. Also, if your stool is bloody or has blackish material, it could be a sign of severe ulcers that need immediate medical attention.

If Food Isnt The Culprit How Did We Get Here

Say hello to Helicobacter pylori , the bacteria best known for causing stomach ulcers and gastritis .

Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining weakens, allowing stomach acid to seep in and create a burning sensation, typically felt in the middle part of your stomach and chest.

Whats more, salty and fatty foods can actually alter the cells in your stomach, increasing the likeliness of an H. pylori infection. Adios potato chips!

No taco shaming!

While a specific diet wont cause stomach ulcers, research shows that certain foods may help your body fight off that ulcer-causing H. pylori.

The best preventative defense against H. pylori includes *wait for it* fruits, veggies, and probiotics. Shocking, we know. They help protect your gut, fight bacteria, strengthen your immune system, and more.

Add these to your shopping list:

• fruit
• food with probiotics, such as yogurt or kimchi

Read Also: How To Cure Peptic Ulcer Disease

Dietary Indications For Peptic Ulcers

The daily diet regime & nutrition do play a significant role in controlling the symptoms & recurrence of peptic ulcers. The main purpose for providing optimum nutrition support is to promote healing of the ulcers as well as to prevent the aggravation of symptoms. Following are the foods which can be included as well as those which needs to be avoided in the diet for effective management of peptic ulcers.

Foods Recommended

Foods which are well cooked and mashed must be included. Fruits such as apple, pear should be skewed. As the diet should be non-irritating and non-stimulating to the digestive tract, it is advisable to cook vegetables to a well mashed consistency. Whole grains, rice, corn, barley can be included.

Cranberries, cherries, tomatoes, bean vegetables like cluster beans, french beans, broad beans, should be mashed well. Bell peppers, gourd vegetables such as bottlegourd, ridgegourd contain moisture which soothens the digestive tract. Probiotics in the form of curd, yogurt, buttermilk, helps in the growth of friendly bacteria that aids better digestion.

Foods Restricted

Citrus fruits such as orange, amla , sweetlime are rich in Vitamin C and helps in wound healing but the question whether it can be used is still a controversy.

Skimmed milk & milk products, low fat cottage cheese are acid- stimulating and so they are restricted.

Foods Avoided

Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cauliflower And Kale Can Help Prevent Ulcers

These cruciferous vegetables all contain sulforaphane, a compound that appears to squelch H. pylori. In one study, after patients who tested positive for the bacteria ate a half cup of broccoli sprouts twice daily for seven days, 78 per cent tested negative for the bacteria. Other studies, on mice, have shown that sulforaphane extracts can successfully destroy the bacteria in the mices digestive tracts.

Recommended dose: Consider eating a cup a day of broccoli, raw or cooked, or broccoli sprouts. Not only will the broccoli begin to battle your ulcer, but it will also provide more than a days worth of vitamin C and a generous amount of fibre: two more allies in the fight against ulcers.

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A Natural Approach To Helping Yourself Through Your Diet

Ulcers are sores that can happen in your digestive tract, including your lower throat , stomach and intestines. Ulcers are usually caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori that many of us have in our bodies already. The symptoms can be made worse by your stomach acid.

It is not entirely clear why ulcers start but stress and diet, especially a fatty diet, are big contributing factors. A higher intake of fat can greatly increase your chance of getting an ulcer in the first place and cause other gastrointestinal problems. High salt intake is also implicated.

STOMACH ULCER TREATMENT

You can treat ulcers. A doctor will recommend antibiotics to kill the bacteria, a medical herbalist will recommend herbal antibiotics such as goldenseal.

Carefully controlling your diet is crucial to successful treatment. This is to make sure that your stomach produces less acid when digesting your food. Eating large meals requires the stomach to produce large amounts of stomach acid. So it is best to eat small meals. Ideally, you should be having 5 to 6 small meals a day and not 2 or 3 large ones.

Your meals should be low in fat and sugar and high in fibre. A diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains is just that. The reason for avoiding fatty foods, is that they are harder for you to digest, so your body then produces more stomach acid and aggravates your condition. Foods that are low in fat can speed up your recovery.

CUTTING DOWN ON RED MEAT

TASTY ALTERNATIVES