What Do You Eat If You Have A Stomach Ulcer

How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed

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Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath or stool for H. pylori. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines.

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.

In severe cases, symptoms can include:

Dark or black stool .

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Treatments That Target Stomach Acid

How your doctor treats your ulcer depends on its cause. Several types of drugs can cut the amount of acid in your stomach. They also coat your stomach to protect your ulcer so it has a chance to heal. Your doctor may suggest you take an over-the-counter antacid to get some quicker short-term relief.

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How Common Are Stomach Ulcers

It’s not known exactly how common stomach ulcers are. They have become much less common since the 1980s because of much more effective treatments. So people with stomach ulcers now usually get better much more quickly.

The term ‘peptic ulcer’ is used to describe ulcers that are caused by too much acid in the stomach. This includes stomach ulcers and also ulcers in the first part of the gut known as the duodenum. Stomach ulcers are less common than duodenal ulcers.

What Are The Causes Of Peptic Ulcers

Foods to Avoid if You Have a Stomach Ulcer

The most common causes of peptic ulcers has been found to be Helicobacter pylori infection which invade the intestinal lining and damage it while proliferating. Also, indiscriminate use of NSAIDs has found to precipitate peptic ulcers.

Alcohol & tobacco intake as well as consumption of oily, spicy foods may worsen the condition of peptic ulcers, but has not been found to cause them. The most common, first line treatment for ulcers is administration of antacids and proton pump inhibitors which dilute the concentration of acid secretions in the stomach or reduce the acid production respectively.

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Having The Stomach For A Healthy And Happy Life

Being diagnosed with stomach ulcers is a kick in the guts. Literally. But this condition shouldnt stop you from living a full and healthy life. Here are some tips to help you keep your stomach happy while you are addressing your stomach ulcers.

Practise good eating habits. Be conscious of how much you eat, when you eat, what you do after you eat, and how you prepare your food.

Eat five to six small meals spread evenly throughout the day instead of three large ones. This way, your stomach will produce less acid each time you eat as there is less food to digest.

Schedule your last meal of the day two to three hours before you sleep. Avoid lying down or engaging in strenuous physical activities for a few hours after eating to prevent acid reflux and ensure better digestion.

Adopt healthier ways of preparing and cooking your meals. Try steaming, roasting, or grilling your food instead of frying them in oil or butter. These healthier cooking methods help reduce the fats in your food and make them easier for your stomach to digest.

Spicy And Salty Foods

While spicy foods dont cause ulcers, they could irritate your stomach lining. Some people with stomach ulcers may be able to tolerate a little spiciness in their foods, but if hot stuff makes your tummy hurt and triggers symptoms of your condition, you might have to hold off on dishes, sauces, dressings and condiments that contain ingredients like red chili peppers, horseradish, peppercorn or jalapeÃ±o.

Foods with high salt content are not friends of your tummy either. Studies show that large amounts of salt in your stomach causes the H. pylori bacteria to become more active and attack the lining of your digestive tract.

What Are Gastritis And Duodenitis

Gastritis is inflammation of your stomach lining. Duodenitis is inflammation of the duodenum. This is the first part of the small intestine, which is located just below your stomach. Both gastritis and duodenitis have the same causes and treatments.

Both conditions may occur in men and women of all ages. The conditions may be acute or chronic. The acute forms come on suddenly and lasts for a short time. The chronic form may progress slowly and last for months or years. The conditions are often curable and generally dont cause any long-term complications.

What Does A Stomach Ulcer Feel Like

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Stomach ulcer pain usually begins in the upper-middle parts of the abdomen, above the belly button, and below the breastbone. Heartburn covers a broader area and tends to be higher in the chest. The pain is often very similar to heartburn and may feel like burning or gnawing that may go through to the back. The onset of the pain may occur several hours after a meal when the stomach is empty.

You could have heartburn and ulcer pain at the same time. Pain may vary from a few minutes to several hours. Usually, people complain that their heartburn is worse at night. It can be relieved with foods, antacids, or even vomiting. If you suspect you have a stomach ulcer, seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent any complications. These symptoms could only worsen with time if your ulcer goes untreated. Getting these symptoms diagnosed by a trained gastroenterologist for timely treatment is crucial for your overall health.

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If Your Ulcer Was Caused By Helicobacter Pylori

Most stomach ulcers are caused by infection with H. pylori. Therefore, a main part of the treatment is to clear this infection. If this infection is not cleared, the ulcer is likely to return once you stop taking acid-suppressing medication. For more information, see the separate leaflet called Helicobacter Pylori.

Green Tea And Flavonoid

Emerging research from China shows the potential protective effects of green tea and other foods that are rich in flavonoids against chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and stomach cancer. Specifically, these foods seem to inhibit the growth of H. pylori.

In addition, one recent laboratory study of green, white, oolong, and black teas indicated that these teas inhibit the growth of H. pylori but cause no harm to beneficial types of bacteria normally found in the stomach, including L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and B. lungum. However, this was an in vitro study, which means testing occurred directly between teas and bacteria in the laboratory, and we cannot draw direct conclusions as to what would happen inside the human body between these two substances. Beneficial effects in the laboratory were best when tea steeped for a full five minutes.

Flavonoid-rich foods include garlic, onions, and colourful fruits and vegetables such as cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas.4,5

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What Are The Common Causes Of Peptic Ulcers

In 2011, about 15.5 million Americans were diagnosed with peptic ulcers. It was estimated that H. pylori was the causative factor in 70% of the patients diagnosed with stomach ulcers, making it the leading cause of this condition.

Another cause of gastric ulcers is factors that decrease the mucosal layers structure, such as using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen. Other factors include smoking, stress, and shock.

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

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Making Lifestyle Changes To Relieve Ulcer Pain

1Determine the triggers of your ulcer pain. First, find out if you have any triggers that cause ulcer pain. Triggers are any foods and beverages that make your stomach pain worse. When you learn your triggers, and avoid them.

This may involve keeping track of foods and beverages that cause you any problems. Start with the common triggers, like spicy foods, foods with high acidity, alcohol, caffeine, or foods with high fat content. Add any foods or beverages that you are sensitive to. This is a simple process of writing down the foods you eat and seeing how you feel about one hour after eating. If the food you ate an hour ago is bothering you, you should eliminate that food from your diet.

2Change your diet. Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce ulcer pain and stomach irritation. Most fruits and vegetables , and whole grains wont irritate your stomach. Plus, eating vitamin-rich foods will support your bodys healing so you can get rid of the ulcer.

Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Getting more fiber from fruits and vegetables can help prevent new ulcers from developing and heal ulcers.

Foods rich in probiotics might help your ulcer. These include yogurt, sauerkraut, dark chocolate, pickles, and soy milk.

Cutting milk from your diet may be able to provide some relief.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source

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What Are The Possible Complications

An untreated ulcer that swells or scars can block your digestive tract. It can also perforate your stomach or small intestine, infecting your abdominal cavity. That causes a condition known as peritonitis.

A bleeding ulcer can lead to anemia, bloody vomit, or bloody stools. A bleeding ulcer usually results in a hospital stay. Severe internal bleeding is life-threatening. Perforation or serious bleeding may require surgical intervention.

List Of Foods To Eat When You Have H Pylori

Are you looking for ulcer diet recommendations? Before incorporating new foods into your diet, get tested for Helicobacter pylori . More than half of all people carry this bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. Itâs the most common infection worldwide, contributing to many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Tip

Fruits, vegetables, honey, tea and probiotic foods, such as yogurt and kefir, may help eradicate H. pylori infection and prevent complications.

Make sure you also eat plenty of nuts, fatty fish and olive oil, which are loaded with omega-3s. These healthy fats inhibit bacteria growth and support digestive function.

How To Eat With A Peptic Ulcer

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How you eat when you have a peptic ulcer is as important as what you eat.

The first instinct you may have when you get a peptic ulcer is to stop eating and let the stomach rest. Not only would this deprive you of much-needed nutrition, but it can also make matters worse.

Eating the right food buffers the ulcer from stomach acids. By contrast, having an empty stomach can worsen symptoms because the stomach will keep churning out acids even if there is no food in it.

To end, you need to choose foods wisely rather than cutting back on nutrition.

There are other tips that can reduce symptoms of a peptic ulcer while you are eating:

Eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large ones.
Sit upright in a chair while eating to avoid compressing the stomach.
Eat slowly and chew each bite thoroughly.
Relax a few minutes before and after each meal.
Have your last meal or snack at least three hours before bedtime.

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What Drink Is Good For Ulcers

You have probably heard that cranberry juice is good for preventing and treating ulcers. But what about other drinks, like coffee, tea, or wine?

Its no secret that something in the modern diet is causing a lot of stomach issues. Our modern diet is way different than what our grandparents ate and its no wonder.

We eat fast food daily, all kinds of preservatives and artificial additives, and, most importantly, we eat way too much! Of all of the things that could be affecting your stomach, its probably too much of one thing.

How Do I Know If I Have An Ulcer

Describing your symptoms may lead your doctor to suspect that you have a peptic ulcer, but it wonât likely help determine the type, because the symptoms of stomach and duodenal ulcers are so similar. The doctor will do tests like these to figure out which specific type of ulcer you have:

Endoscopy. This is the most accurate diagnostic test to diagnose a peptic ulcer. The doctor puts a flexible tube down your throat to see inside your esophagus , stomach, and duodenum. This allows the doctor to see the cause of bleeding and test for any bacterial infection. During this exam, your doctor may also do a biopsy to check for cancer.
Barium swallow. If you cant have an endoscopy, this test, also called an upper GI series of X-rays, can help your doctor identify and locate the ulcer and determine its type and severity. The test requires you to drink a barium milkshake, which has a liquid that will show up on an X-ray. They may ask you to eat only bland, easy-to-digest foods for 2-3 days before the test. After drinking the chalky liquid, you lie down on a tilting exam table. This evenly spreads the barium around your upper digestive tract and lets the X-ray take pictures at different angles.

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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.

When You Also Have Dry Mouth

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In addition to mouth sores, radiation can cause dry mouth .

If you are experiencing dry mouth in addition to mouth sores, try the following to help keep moisture levels up:

Chew sugarless gum to promote saliva production.
Use a saliva substitute like OraCoat or Biotene.
Stay well hydrated.

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Which Foods Should You Eat

The cornerstone of successful management of ulcers is not about avoiding specific foods, says Walters. More important are simple lifestyle changes that include balanced, healthy eating, weight reduction, decreased alcohol consumption and smoking cessation, she says.

These are Walterss top tips for ulcer management:

Eat a balanced diet. Choose a variety of foods from each food group, especially fibre-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Include yoghurt too.

Fill-up on fibre. Fibre may play a role in preventing the formation or recurrence of ulcers. Foods high in soluble fibre, e.g. oats, apples and legumes, seem to be the most effective. Vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, leafy greens and butternut may also be protective.

Eat small, more frequent meals. Plan for four to five small meals per day instead of two to three large meals. Plus, avoid eating just before going to sleep as this delays gastric emptying and exacerbates symptoms.

Chew more. Digestion starts in your mouth. Chewing thoroughly helps with the needed breakdown of nutrients.

Get moving. Even stretching and walking promote good digestive health.

Make lifestyle changes. Limiting stress aids in decreasing the over-production of stomach acid, while daily exercise and drinking sufficient water can assist with gastric emptying. And quit smoking immediately as it increases ulcer perforation!

Away with alcohol. Excessive use of alcohol may cause irritation and erosion to the stomach lining, so dont indulge.