What Is The Cause Of Peptic Ulcers
When you eat, your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food.
- The food is partially digested in the stomach and then moves on to the duodenum to continue the process.
- Peptic ulcers occur when the acid and enzyme overcome the defense mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract and erode the mucosal wall.
In the past it was thought that ulcers were caused by lifestyle factors such as eating habits, cigarettesmoking, and stress.
- Now it is understood that people with ulcers have an imbalance between acid and pepsin coupled with the digestive tract’s inability to protect itself from these harsh substances.
- Research done in the 1980s showed that some ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium named Helicobacter pylori, usually called H pylori.
- Not everyone who gets an ulcer is infected with H pylori. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause ulcers if taken regularly.
Some types of medical therapy can contribute to ulcer formation. The following factors can weaken the protective mucosal barrier of the stomach increasing the chances of getting an ulcer and slow the healing of existing ulcers.
- Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , and newer anti-inflammatory medications
- Alcohol
- Cigarettesmoking
- Radiation therapy:-used for diseases such as cancer
People who take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications are at an increased risk even if they do not have H pylori infection.
Foods To Eat When Suffering From Gastritis
There are certain foods that should be eaten when suffering from gastritis and ulcers because they have a cooling effect on the lining of the stomach and can ease the internal inflammation.
Below is a list of recommended foods to help with a diet for gastritis and reflux. The easiest thing to remember is that a bland diet for gastritis is best.
- Broccoli sprouts have a chemical in them called sulforpahane, which helps kill H. pylori because it has an antibacterial effect. A 2009 study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research showed that a group of people with H. pylori who ate a cup of broccoli sprouts every day for eight weeks had less stomach inflammation and infection than those who ate the same amount of alfalfa sprouts, which does not contain sulforpahane.
- Yogurt is also an excellent choice to help restore gut flora back to normal and level out the balance in the stomach. Its best to choose low-fat or fat-free brands that contain live and active bacterial cultures. Opt for plain yogurt and add honey as a sweetener and to help soothe your stomach.
- Fruit is a great choice with gastritis . Try eating two to four servings a day of apples, bananas, pears, peaches, grapes, melon, and kiwi.
- Vegetables are also a terrific and soothing choice .
- Also include applesauce, apple juice, skim milk, and light-flavored, low-fat cheeses.
Cooking And Ulcer Care
In general, you can’t go wrong with a healthy diet, but keep an eye on what aggravates your loved one’s ulcer.
It used to be that doctors recommended the same diet for everyone with an ulcer: Avoid spicy foods and eat bland ones. But today doctors know that spicy foods do not cause an ulcer and bland diets do not necessarily help in ulcer treatment. So how do you prepare meals for a loved one with an ulcer?
While it is true that specific foods do not cause ulcers, they can make symptoms worse, says Carrie Folse, MD, a gastroenterologist at Saint Vincents Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. However, the exacerbation of foods is quite subjective, she says. Its hard to tell which food will aggravate symptoms in any one person.
So instead of past one diet fits all recommendations, doctors now offer more general guidelines. If your loved one notices a particular food causes a problem, just avoid that food and let the doctor know.
Cooking for the Ulcer Patient: Foods to Avoid
Sarah Boyd, RD, a registered dietitian in Richmond, Va., says that the following foods may cause discomfort for people with an ulcer:
- Meats with a high fat content
- High-fat condiments
- Spicy foods
- Chocolate
These items may or may not be problematic and are based on the individuals personal tolerances, Boyd notes.
Cooking for the Ulcer Patient: Foods to Choose
Although there is no strong evidence that any foods prevent or heal an ulcer, a healthy diet is the best policy. Pick from these wholesome choices:
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Gastritis Diet With An Ulcer
Left untreated, some types of gastritis can eventually lead to a stomach ulcer, also called a peptic ulcer. If you have an ulcer, the types of foods that you should eat or avoid are similar to those for gastritis.
With an ulcer, you should make sure you are getting foods full of nutrients. Following a healthful, balanced diet makes it easier for the ulcer to heal.
According to on diet and stomach ulcers, the following foods are allowed:
- milk, yogurt, and low fat cheeses
- vegetable oils and olive oil
- some fruits, including apples, melons, and bananas
- some vegetables, including leafy greens, carrots, spinach, and zucchini
- lentils, chickpeas, and soybeans
Research also suggests that people with a stomach ulcer may want to avoid:
- fried foods
- caffeinated drinks
- mustard grains
There is very little research to support these specific dietary recommendations for gastritis. Your best option is to consult with a doctor or nutritionist for an individualized diet based on your own symptoms and reactions to foods.
Different types of gastritis have different causes. Some of these include:
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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Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers may require lifestyle and dietary changes to manage them while they are healing. Acid reducing medications may also be beneficial. Previously, a bland diet was recommended for stomach ulcers but current research does not support that idea.
Dietary modifications can help, but spicy foods arent necessarily an irritant. Doctors now emphasize a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. The best foods to eat when you have a stomach ulcer include:
Dietary fiber
This includes oats, legumes, flax seeds, nuts, oranges, apples, and carrots. These foods are good for you because they can help prevent ulcers from developing.
Vitamin A rich foods
Foods like broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and collard greens contain vitamin A. These foods increase the mucus production in your gastrointestinal tract, which some believe can help prevent ulcers.
Green tea
Emerging research indicates that green tea can help fight off H. pylori.
Flavonoid-rich foods
This includes garlic, onions, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, and snap peas. Research suggests that these foods can help protect your gut against chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and stomach cancer. These foods help inhibit H. pylori growth.
Cranberry juice
This tart juice can potentially reduce the risk of H. pylori overgrowth in your stomach and prevent inflammation.
There are certain foods that could irritate your stomach ulcer, and it might be a good idea to limit them. Those foods include:
Are Peptic Ulcers Painful
The pain of ulcer disease correlates poorly with the presence or severity of active ulceration. Some individuals have persistent pain even after an ulcer is almost completely healed by medication. Others experience no pain at all. Ulcers often come and go spontaneously without the individual ever knowing that they are present unless a serious complication occurs.
Symptoms and signs of peptic ulcers disease vary. Some people with stomach ulcers do not have any symptoms or signs while others may have a few or several.
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a dull or burning pain in the stomach. The pain may be felt anywhere between your belly button and breastbone. Pain from a peptic or stomach ulcer
Peptic ulcer other symptoms and signs that are less common include
Cigarette smoking not only causes ulcers, but it also increases the risk of complications from ulcers such as bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. Cigarette smoking also is a leading cause of failure of treatment for ulcers.
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol, coffee, colas, spicy foods, and caffeine have no proven role in ulcer formation. Similarly, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that life stresses or personality types contribute to ulcer disease.
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Nutritional Assessment On Peptic Ulcer
It aims to identify possible nutritional alterations and determine properintervention to ensure the individualsâ health. Malnutrition in this case may occurespecially when there is stenosis, which prevents normal ingestion of foods.
For nutritional assessment, some important indicators are used in this process, suchas the anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical evaluations. The anthropometricassessment consists of weight and height measurements that may be used in conjunctionin the assessment of the nutritional status by means of BMI , butthis method does not distinguishes losses of fat or lean mass. In addition, weightmay be concealed by hyper-hydration or de-hydration, thus not resulting in anaccurate determination of the nutritional status in these specific cases.
Total body bioelectrical impedance is a method used to measure the body mass, liquidvolume, and body fat, being recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and theFood and a Food and Drug Administration as a valuable technique for thispurpose. Indirectcalorimetry is a non-invasive method to determine the nutritional needs and theutilization rate of energy substrates from oxygen consumption and carbon dioxideproduction obtained by analysis of the inhaled and exhaled air by the lungs.
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Black Or Dark Colored Stool
If you think you may have an ulcer, a good way to tell is to look at your stool. If you notice that when you use the restroom your stool is extremely dark in color, or even black, chances are you are right about what is ailing you. If this is the case, you should absolutely go to the hospital immediately.
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Worst Foods For A Stomach Ulcer
If you have a stomach ulcer, you may find that certain foods and beverages cause irritation. Common culprits can include:
- Alcohol
- Other caffeinated beverages
- Spicy foods
However, these items might be well tolerated if consumed in small amounts or with other foods. And it’s important to note that these items don’t bother everyone with a stomach ulcer. So the best approach is to limit or avoid foods that clearly cause you discomfort and enjoy in moderation those that don’t, as there are no blanket restrictions on foods if you have a stomach ulcer.
But less is known about the types of foods that impair healing or make H. pylori infections more difficult to treat or if restricting certain foods or dietary components will help.
For instance, a 2016 study from Gastroenterology Research and Practice suggests a high-salt environment in the stomach can promote the development of or worsen H. pylori infections. But quality research is not yet available to determine if reducing dietary sodium or other suspect nutrients prevents or helps treat H. pylori infections.
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What To Eat When You Have An Ulcer
You need to be very careful on what to eat when you have an ulcer, so that the condition does not get aggravated. You should be wise while it comes to choosing foods for yourself and avoiding those that will harm the stomach. This article provides some information on the same.
You need to be very careful on what to eat when you have an ulcer, so that the condition does not get aggravated. You should be wise while it comes to choosing foods for yourself and avoiding those that will harm the stomach. This article provides some information on the same.
Experiencing stomach ulcers or gastritis can be quite distressing with all the pain, discomfort, and food restrictions. An ulcer, also referred to as peptic ulcer, is a sore that is formed in the gastrointestinal tract due to a bacterial infection. The Helicobacter pylori bacteria, mainly responsible for this condition, attacks the inner lining of the digestive tract and causes damage. This leads to the eruption of sores, or ulcers, in the digestive tract lining.
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Eating To Fight Peptic Ulcers
People used to say stomach ulcers were caused by too much stress or spicy food, and the best thing to do when the pain flared up was to drink a nice big glass of milk. It turns out everything about that statement was wrong.
What they are
A peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. They typically cause burning stomach pain, especially when the stomach is empty. They also may cause bloating, belching, heartburn, nausea, or intolerance to fatty foods. Occasionally, ulcers can cause severe symptoms, like blood in vomit or stools, or trouble breathing, and can lead to gastric cancer.
Since 1982, when scientists discovered that many peptic ulcers are caused by a bacterium called H. pylori, antibiotics, along with medicines that decrease stomach acid, have been the main treatment. Ulcers also can be caused by over-the-counter pain medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium , but not acetaminophen . Smoking and stress can make ulcers worse.
What to eat
What may help
For ulcers caused by H. pylori, a 2015 review in the journal Nutrition Research explored which foods help, and which dont. The following foods and extracts are the most promising choices to help fight H. pylori:
Probiotics in yogurt, the fermented milk product kefir, and commercial probiotic products may help standard therapy work better and could lessen treatment side effects .
What may not help
Zhejiang University Scientific Study China
Scientists at the Zhejiang University in China discovered that eating potatoes and cabbage can help reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer.
The researchers found that people who ate a large amount of these two types of vegetables along with white vegetables, such as onions and cauliflower, were a third less likely to develop stomach cancer it than those who did not eat them.
They stated thatBoth fruit and white vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, which showed a significant protective effect against gastric cancer by our analysis.
The study used 76 existing studies into diet and stomach cancer which have involved 6.3 million people being surveyed and 33,000 deaths from the disease.
It also found that for every 100g eaten of these vegetables the risk of developing stomach cancer is reduced by 5%. The risk was reduced to eight percent for every 50mg of vitamin C the equivalent of two potatoes.
They said that Both fruit and white vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, which showed a significant protective effect against gastric cancer by our analysis.
This study provides comprehensive and strong evidence that there are a number of protective and risk factors for gastric cancer in the diet, they added. Potatoes prevent stomach cancer and ulcers.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and responsible for more than 50,000 deaths annually, according to the American Cancer Society.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcers
Each persons symptoms may vary. In some cases ulcers dont cause any symptoms.
The most common ulcer symptom is a dull or burning pain in your belly between your breastbone and your belly button . This pain often occurs around meal times and may wake you up at night. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
Less common ulcer symptoms may include:
- Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
- Burping
- Bloody or black stool
- Vomiting blood
Peptic ulcer symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.
Dietary Fibre & Vitamin A
Research shows that a high fibre diet decreases the risk of developing ulcer disease. Although both insoluble and soluble fibres demonstrate this association, there is a stronger association between diets high in soluble fibre and a decreased risk for developing ulcers.
Foods that are high in soluble fibre include oats, psyllium husk, legumes, flax seeds, barley, nuts, and certain vegetables and fruits, such as oranges, apples, and carrots.
Findings from a prospective cohort study that included 47,806 men, showed that a diet rich in vitamin A from all sources might reduce the development of duodenal ulcer, as might diets high in fruits and vegetables, possibly due to their fibre content.2 A prospective cohort study follows, over time, a group of similar individuals who differ with respect to certain factors under study, to determine how these factors affect rates of a certain outcome however, more research is necessary to verify results because there are so many other factors involved with this type of study that could confound the data.
Animal studies demonstrate that vitamin A increases the production of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract. Impaired mucosal defense can allow ulcers to develop. Therefore, vitamin A may have a protective effect against the development of ulcer disease.3
Good sources of vitamin A include liver, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and collard greens.
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