Antacids And H2 Blockers
Antacids
Antacids neutralize existing acid in the stomach. Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Amphojel are safe and effective treatments. However, the neutralizing action of these agents is short-lived, and frequent dosing is required. Magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox and Mylanta, can cause diarrhea, while aluminum containing agents like Amphojel can cause constipation. Ulcers frequently return when antacids are discontinued.
H2 blockers
Studies have shown that a protein released in the stomach called histamine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Histamine antagonists are drugs designed to block the action of histamine on gastric cells and reduce the production of acid. Examples of H2 blockers are cimetidine , nizatidine , and famotidine . While H2 blockers are effective in ulcer healing, they have a limited role in eradicating H. pylori without antibiotics. Therefore, ulcers frequently return when H2 blockers are stopped.
Don’t Ignore Your Ulcer
There are lots of good reasons to get help. If you put off treatment, your ulcer may start to block food from moving smoothly through your digestive system. You may often throw up or feel too full to eat. Over time, your ulcer could make a hole through your stomach lining and put you at risk of a severe infection. An ulcer that bleeds can also land you in the hospital.
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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Play It Safe With Pain Relief
Avoid NSAIDs during treatment and afterward. If you still use them, your ulcer may not heal or could go away and then come back. To ease pain, try acetaminophen, which is easier on your stomach. Your doctor can also prescribe a pain reliever that’s gentle on your stomach. If you must have an NSAID, take the smallest dose that still helps you, and swallow it with food.
What Is Ulcer Diet
An ulcer diet is aimed to lessen the pain and irritation that arises due to a painful sore that occurs in the lining of the stomach, oesophagus or small intestine. Diet plays a vital part in an overall care plan and helps to mitigate symptoms and heal the ulcer.
An ulcer diet together with a proper treatment plan may help to :
Correct nutritional deficiencies that may be causative factors for symptoms.
Supply adequate protein and other essential nutrients that the body needs to recover.
Help eliminate foods that worsen the inflammation.
A high fibre diet is associated with a low risk of peptic ulcers and adding foods rich in zinc and selenium may speed up the healing process.
Help to manage other related conditions like Crohns disease, celiac disease or bacterial infections, which may be contributing factors for ulcer development.
It is also advisable to limit certain foods that make trigger excess acid production and reflux.
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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.
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 Prilosec®, Prevacid®, Aciphex®, Protonix® and Nexium®.
- Histamine receptor blockers : These drugs also reduce acid production and include Tagamet®, Pepcid®, Zantac® and Axid®.
- 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 Carafate® or Pepto-Bismol®.
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How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated
With treatment, most stomach ulcers will heal within a month or two. The treatment recommended for you will depend on what caused the ulcer.
Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the amount of acid their stomach produces and allow the ulcer to heal naturally.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and your doctor will discuss whether you should keep using NSAIDs.
Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, may be recommended.
Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.
Read more about treating stomach ulcers.
What Not To Eat With A Stomach Ulcer
Since stomach ulcer is a problem related to stomach, following a diet menu which can help heal stomach ulcer is advisable. However, there are certain diet restrictions for individual suffering from the stomach ulcer. These include
- High salt intake in food
- Higher Intake of fat in food should be avoided both for preventing the occurrence of stomach ulcers or any other gastrointestinal problems
- Avoiding large meals and replacing it with 5 to 6 small meals each day since the small meals would require the stomach to produce smaller quantities of stomach acids
Thus Ideally The Food items Which Should be Avoided by the Individuals Suffering from Stomach Ulcers Include
- Red Meat
- Caffeinated products such as chocolate, coffee and soft drinks
- High fat dairy products
- Spicy foods with seasonings of chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, and other strong spices
- Pre Prepared Meals
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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.
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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Eat Blueberries If You Have Ulcers
This type of berry is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. For that matter, it boosts your bodys immune system to fight against disease infections.
Actually, blueberries has advance health benefits including neutralizing your stomach acids and helps reduce heartburn.
Studies show that eating blueberries may help prevent the risk of developing stomach ulcers,heartburn and stomach cancer.
What Is An Ulcer
When your stomach’s healthy, it’s coated in a layer of sticky mucus. This protects it from the harsh acid that breaks down your food. If something upsets this balance, you end up with more stomach acid and not enough mucus. Over time, that acid gnaws away at the tissue that lines your stomach. The painful and sometimes bloody open sore it causes is called an ulcer. Some are tiny, while others are over an inch long.
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Foods To Help Prevent Symptoms
Gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining. For this reason, an anti-inflammatory diet may help some people.
There is no single best anti-inflammatory diet. To combat inflammation, eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods, which are rich in antioxidants. It is also important to avoid processed foods and any containing unhealthful fats and added salt or sugar.
Learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet here.
Causes Of Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcer results from the rupture of the protective layer of stomach lining which protected the stomach wall from the stomach acids. This usually happens as a result of
- Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection
- Long and continual intake of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin, that too at high doses
However, little evidence has been found supporting the fact that consumption of certain types of foods or stress can cause stomach ulcers directly.
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Is Banana Good Ulcer
Bananas have many health benefits. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Bananas are rich in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. The high content of fiber makes bananas a good food for bowel health and weight loss.
Banana may also be useful in the treatment of peptic ulcers. For many years, it was thought that bananas do not cause any harm or ulcers.
The banana is the worlds most popular fruit and is part of the tropical fruit family. It is grown in over 100 countries and is eaten by just about everyone, including people who cant stand fruit.
The banana is the fourth most important food crop in the world and is grown in many different climates and soil types. In many countries, the banana plant is used as a house or a food crop. In some countries, it is also used for medicinal values.
What Causes A Stomach Ulcer
It is commonly said that spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers but that is not the case at all. Stress and spicy foods can aggravate a stomach ulcer but most of the time stomach ulcers are caused by an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, also known as H.Pylori.
Other times ulcers are brought on by the long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and Aleve. Always use these over the counter drugs sparingly and consult your physician for alternate pain management solutions.
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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.
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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Will Surgery Cure Your Stomach Ulcer
Most patients with peptic ulcers react well to medical treatment. Medical therapy may not work in some cases, or a person may be unable to take the medicines for different reasons.
For some people, surgery is a viable alternative to medical treatment. The following are some of the surgeries that commonly treat peptic ulcers:
What Foods Should You Eat And Avoid If You Have Stomach Ulcers
Deciding what to eat is difficult enough as it is. Imagine how much more difficult it would be if you had a stomach condition that prevents you from eating the foods you like!For those of you who have stomach ulcers, choosing what foods to eat can be tricky. We totally get you. So we came up with a list of foods that can serve as your guide on what you should eat and avoid if youre suffering from stomach ulcers.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
If you have stomach ulcers, you may want to ask your doctor:
- What pain reliever can I use instead of an NSAID?
- How will I know if the H. pylori infection is gone?
- How do we find out if the ulcer has healed?
- What can I do relieve symptoms at home during treatment?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Contrary to commonly held beliefs, ulcers arent caused by stress or foods you eat. Most of time, bacteria causes them. Doctors can treat the bacteria with antibiotics and other medications.
If youve been popping a lot of antacids lately, youre constantly snacking to get rid of a gnawing pain in your stomach or you have any other signs of an ulcer, the best thing you can do for your health is talk to your provider. Treatment can heal an ulcer in a matter of weeks.
Why Painkillers Can Cause Trouble
You could develop an ulcer if you’re a regular user of some over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. When you take these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs too often or for a long time, they inflame the lining of your stomach. Your ulcers won’t have a chance to heal until you stop taking them.
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What Are Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers, also called as stomach ulcers, are characterized by the occurrence of an open sore on the inner lining of the stomach. The sore may be on the proximal, middle or distal part of the stomach or in the duodenum, the initial part of small intestine, following the stomach.
Diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract such as peptic ulcers and dyspepsia are quite common among the urban population today due to improper eating habits and erratic lifestyle adopted due to the influence of technology. People today have chosen jobs involving prolonged hours of sitting in front of the PC and often skipping meals, which is quite common due to busy working hours.
Irregular meal timings combined with having large meals at a time all play a role in disturbing the functioning of the normal digestive system. Paying proper attention to regularizing meal timings & minding the portion size of meals can help reverse gut disorders such as peptic ulcers.
Ulcers are often the result of inadequate presence of the bicarbonate ions in the stomach lining. Hence, on account of inadequate bicarbonate ions to neutralize the H+ ions in the acidic secretions of the gut, the stomach acid has the capacity of corroding the stomach lining. This gives rise to ulcers.