Foods You Should Eat If You Have Stomach Ulcers
10 February, 2021
Stomach ulcers are lesions that develop in the mucous lining when there is an excessive production of acidic juices. To combat this problem, we present a series of foods that can alleviate the symptoms and prevent recurrences.
According to the experts at Medline Plus, the most common cause is the growth of H. pylori bacteria, although it can also be caused by the excessive consumption of some medications.
The main symptom is a feeling of pain or burning in the abdominal region however, it may be accompanied by acid reflux, a feeling of heaviness and intolerance due to irritating foods.
Most of the cases are mild, with the only treatment being changes in ones diet. However, sometimes it presents complications such as vomiting and bleeding. When this occurs, it is necessary that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
There is a wide variety of foods that can help regulate the stomachs pH to accelerate the relief of this problem. Next, we want to share in detail the best 6 foods that you shouldnt hesitate to try when you are faced with this issue.
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
How Do I Diagnose If Its An Ulcer Or Gerd
There are differences in the symptoms between an ulcer and GERD, but they can certainly feel similar . That makes it extra tempting to turn to Dr. Google to slap a name on whatever discomfort youâre experiencing.
However, the only true way to know whether youâre dealing with an ulcer or GERD is to speak to your doctor and receive a professional diagnosis.
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Foods To Avoid If You Have A Stomach Ulcer
While antibiotics and antacids may be needed to treat a stomach ulcer, there are certain foods that can exacerbate the symptoms including pain, a burning sensation, indigestion, gas, nausea and vomiting.
A stomach ulcer, also known as a peptic ulcer, occurs when open sores develop on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine.
Peptic ulcers are of two types: gastric ulcers that are in the stomach and duodenal ulcers that are in the upper portion of the small intestine.
The most common cause of peptic ulcers is an infection due to the bacterium Helicobacter pylori . Other causes include long-term use of aspirin and certain other painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. Other symptoms include a feeling of fullness, bloating, fatty food intolerance, heartburn, weakness, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
People are at an increased risk of suffering from a stomach ulcer if they smoke a lot, drink alcohol in excess, lead a stressful life and eat spicy foods.
It is important to consult your doctor if you think you have a stomach ulcer. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the bacterial infection and recommend antacids to reduce the acid in the digestive tract.
Here are some of the foods to avoid if you suffer from a stomach ulcer.
Contents
Which Foods Can I Eat And Drink
Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. Whole grains include whole-wheat breads, cereals, pasta, and brown rice. Choose lean meats, poultry , fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. A healthy meal plan is low in unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugar. Healthy fats include olive oil and canola oil. Ask your dietitian for more information about a healthy meal plan.
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Foods To Limit When You Have Acid Reflux And An Ulcer
Some people who have an ulcer also have acid reflux. In some people, certain foods can relax the lower part of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. A relaxed LES makes it easier for acid to back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn, indigestion, and pain.
Foods that may make acid reflux worse include:
- coffee
Honey Can Help Prevent Ulcers
Modern medicine has finally caught on to a folk remedy thats been used for centuries. Because honey fights bacteria, hospitals and clinics sometimes apply it to burns and other open wounds. For the same reason that it can help heal a skin ulcer, honey may help thwart H. pylori. Researchers from New Zealand tested honey made from the nectar of the Manuka flower on bacteria from biopsies of gastric ulcers and found that the honey inhibited bacterial growth. Other researchers have been successful in using other types of honey to halt the growth of H. pylori.
Recommended dose: Start by taking a tablespoon of honey in the morning and at night to calm a fiery belly. Spread it on toast or a cracker to keep it in the stomach longer. Because H. pylori is slow growing, be sure to keep up your honey regimen until ulcer symptoms are long gone.
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Foods That You Should Avoid If You Have Stomach Ulcers
There are many acidic foods that can worsen the situation of patients with stomach ulcers. It is important to learn to identify them since it is not a good idea to consume them during the recovery process.
The main ones are:
- Coffee and drinks with caffeine
- Sweets and products with refined sugar
- Carbonated drinks
Could It Be Cancer
It’s rare, but sometimes tumors cause stomach ulcers. If you have something called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome , it means one or more growths called gastrinomas form in your small intestine and pancreas. These tumors release hormones that force your stomach to churn out more acid than normal, which leads to ulcers.
Gastrinomas do not always mean you have cancer. They can be benign and may not spread.
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Yogurt With Active Cultures Can Help Prevent Ulcers
Foods like yogurt and kefir contain good bacteria that can inhibit H. pylori and may help ulcers heal faster. In one large study in Sweden, people who ate fermented milk products like yogurt at least three times a week were much less likely to have ulcers than people who ate yogurt less often.
Recommended dose: Have a cup of yogurt, kefir, or another fermented milk product with live, active cultures at least once a day. Avoid sweetened varieties, which are less effective.
Never ignore these ulcer symptoms.
Symptoms And Causes Of Ulcers
The primary symptom of ulcers and peptic ulcer disease is pain. A painful, burning sensation can be felt throughout the top of the sternum, seeping all the way to the navel. The time frame for the pain can fluctuateit could last for as little as a few minutes or for as long as several hours.
Most ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori , a gastrointestinal infection that can cause both peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori affects about 20% of people younger than 30 years old and 50% of people over the age of 60.Researchers are unsure how H. pylori can spread from one person to the other, but they do believe that it can be transmitted through food, water, and close contact with others. A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that H. pylori is more likely to be found in individuals with low blood levels of vitamin C. Study researchers recommended increased vitamin C consumption.Aside from H. pylori, other causes of ulcers include excess digestive acids that will damage the lining of the digestive tract, long-term and constant use of anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as unmanaged stress. Stress causes a change in the immune system, blood flow, and acid secretionthese changes can aggravate ulcer symptoms and impede on the healing process.
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Foods Safe To Eat With Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are sores that form in the lining of your stomach due to erosion of the protective mucus layer. Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause this erosion and expose the lining of your stomach to harmful digestive juices. Although foods do not cause ulcers, certain foods can increase acid production and further irritate your ulcer. Consuming foods that are more ulcer-friendly instead may reduce pain and help your ulcer heal.
Foods That Worsen Ulcer Symptoms
Myriams-Fotos/Pixabay
Diet can play a large role in both alleviating ulcer pain and healing ulcers. To begin, there are certain foods that should be avoided. Some of these foods relax the lower part of the esophagus, which makes it easier for acid to back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn, indigestion and pain. Others have the ability to generate more acid, which can irritate the open wound of your ulcer.
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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.
What Does Your Poop Look Like If You Have An Ulcer
You have symptoms of an ulcer and develop severe back pain your ulcer may be perforating the stomach wall. You have symptoms of an ulcer and vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or you pass dark red, bloody, or black stools, or stools that resemble currant jelly you may be bleeding internally.
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Foods To Eat If You Have Stomach Ulcer
Eat these foods if you have stomach ulcers.
Stomach sores are wounds in your stomach lining. You develop ulcers when acids from your food cause some damage to your stomachs wall.
Stomach ulcers are also caused by Helicobacter pylori and the use of painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The food you eat when you discover that you have a stomach ulcer makes a world of difference in preventing pain and ensuring it doesnt exacerbate.
How Are Ulcers Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider may be able to make the diagnosis just by talking with you about your symptoms. If you develop an ulcer and youre not taking NSAIDs, the cause is likely an H. pylori infection. To confirm the diagnosis, youll need one of these tests:
Endoscopy
If you have severe symptoms, your provider may recommend an upper endoscopy to determine if you have an ulcer. In this procedure, the doctor inserts an endoscope through your throat and into your stomach to look for abnormalities.
H. Pylori tests
Tests for H. pylori are now widely used and your provider will tailor treatment to reduce your symptoms and kill the bacteria. A breath test is the easiest way to discover H. pylori. Your provider can also look for it with a blood or stool test, or by taking a sample during an upper endoscopy.
Imaging tests
Less frequently, imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans are used to detect ulcers. You have to drink a specific liquid that coats the digestive tract and makes ulcers more visible to the imaging machines.
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How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed
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 Is A Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a break in the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer and of the esophagus, an esophageal ulcer. Peptic ulcers occur when the lining these organs is eroded by the acidic digestive juices that the cells of the lining secrete of the stomach secrete. A peptic ulcer differs from an erosion because it extends deeper into the lining and incites more of an inflammatory reaction from the tissues that are involved, occasionally with scaring. Peptic ulcer also is referred to as peptic ulcer disease.
Peptic ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. Moreover, peptic ulcers are a recurrent problem even healed ulcers can recur unless treatment is directed at preventing their recurrence. The medical cost of treating peptic ulcer and its complications runs into billions of dollars annually. Recent medical advances have increased our understanding of ulcer formation. Improved and expanded treatment options now are available.
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Are There Any Foods I Should Just Avoid
Yes. Some people with stomach ulcers also have acid reflux. Some foods cause the lower part of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter , to become relaxed. When this happens, acids can sneak up into the esophagus and cause indigestion and heartburn.
Some foods known to do this include:
- spicy food
- caffeine
- acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes
Also, eating too much or eating within 23 hours of bedtime can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Netflix and chill with a pizza isnt sounding so fun anymore, is it?
Thankfully, theres lots you can do to relieve stomach ulcers and gastritis.
Here are some ways to start:
- Add those healthy foods from above. Broccoli and berries are your new besties.
- Take your vitamins and supplements, such as omega-3s and probiotics.
- Lower your stress level. Emotional stress is linked to increased inflammation flare-ups. Also, getting plenty of sleep helps to control stress.
- Quit smoking. Just dont do it. Ever. It can lead to stomach inflammation and everything else thats bad.
- Eat five or six smaller meals rather than three large ones. Smaller meals boost healing by reducing the amount of stomach acid in the stomach.
- Drink water and limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases stomach inflammation.
What Is The Best Diet For Heartburn
That does not have to be true, however. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be both enjoyable and heartburn-friendly if you know which foods to incorporate into your diet.
Heartburn can flare when your stomach produces too much gastric acid, and your food choices can directly affect this. Here are three meals that incorporate heartburn-reducing foods that your stomach will appreciate.
Oatmeal and Wheat: Try Whole Grains for Breakfast
Oatmeal has been a whole-grain breakfast favorite for generations. It is a good source of fiber, so it keeps you feeling full and promotes regularity. Oats also absorb stomach acid and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease . For something sweet, top your oatmeal with bananas, apples or pears. The fructose in these fruits is less likely to trigger acid reflux than other sugars. Of course, eating oatmeal every day could get boring, so switch things up with a warm bowl of Cream of Wheat, or some whole grain toast with peanut butter.
Avoid coffee and most teas that contain caffeine, which can cause heartburn. Instead, brew a soothing cup of ginger tea. Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that will help regulate acid production.
Vegetables: Add Some Color and Nutrients to Your Lunch
Try these options for a light and tasty lunch:
- Baked potato with steamed broccoli
- Mixed green salad with fresh-cut vegetables and a light oil and vinegar dressing
- Veggie wrap or veggie quesadilla
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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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