Ways to Reduce The Pain From Ulcers and Avoid Them in The Future

All sores that erode mucous membranes or the skin and penetrate the underlying muscle are referred to as ulcers. Those that occur in the lower part of the esophagus, the stomach, or the duodenum are known more specifically as peptic ulcers, because they form in areas exposed to stomach acids and the digestive enzyme pepsin. Peptic ulcers are one of the most common disorders diagnosed in North America today, and men and women are equally affected.

A person with an ulcer may describe the pain as gnawing or burning and can often pinpoint it’s exact spot. The pain usually occurs 2 to 3 hours after eating, is worse when the stomach is empty, and can be relieved by eating a small amount of food or taking an antacid. Some people never have ulcer pain; however, they may develop intestinal bleeding, heartburn, bloating, and gas, as well as nausea and vomiting. 20% to 50% of the populations in industrialized countries have the Helicobacter pylori bacterium.

Although excess acid secretion plays a role, most ulcers develop when a common bacterium, called Helicobacter pylori, infects the intestinal tract. Smoking, emotional stress, and heavy drinking can also contribute to a person’s risk of ulcers, and some people may have a hereditary predisposition. Ulcers frequently occur in people subjected to extreme physical stress, such as serious burns or surgery.

Nutrition Connection
There are several ways to reduce the pain from ulcers and avoid them in the future, including: -Avoid trigger foods. Triggers vary from person to person, but common offenders are coffee (including decaffeinated), caffeine in beverages and chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, and tomato-based products.
-Avoid raiding the fridge at night. Late-evening snacks should be avoided, because they stimulate acid secretion during sleep. It is also wise to avoid eating large quantities of food at one time.
-Reduce fat and dairy. Fatty foods can slow down stomach emptying and stimulate acid release. Milk and dairy products temporarily relieve pain but can cause a rebound in acid secretion.
-Turn down the spice. Foods and seasonings that stimulate gastric acid secretion such as black pepper, garlic, cloves, and chili powder should be limited or avoided by people for whom they cause problems. Citrus juices may cause discomfort for some people.
-Eat iron-rich foods. Bleeding from untreated ulcers can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. People with anemia should eat iron-rich foods, including lean meat, poultry, enriched or fortified breads and cereals, dried fruit, and dried beans and other legumes.
-Spoon some yogurt. Yogurt with live lactobacilli and bifidobacteria during treatment can reduce symptoms.
-Check out licorice. One home remedy that seems to work well is a form of licorice called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). DGL is sold in wafer form at health food stores. Follow the dosage instructions.
-Sip aloe vera juice. This is another home remedy. Drink a ½ cup three times a day.

Beyond the Diet
-Stop smoking. Smoking is one factor closely linked to poor healing and ulcer recurrence. Cigarette smokers often continue to suffer from ulcers until they quit.
-Stop harmful medications. People with ulcers caused by NSAID use must discontinue the offending drug.
-Exercise to raise your endorphin level. Regular exercise promotes the release of endorphins, brain chemicals that dull pain and elevate mood.
-Check medications. A major cause of ulcers is the heavy use of drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
-Don’t rely on baking soda. Many people self-treat ulcer pain with over-the-counter drugs or with home remedies concocted from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to neutralize stomach acid. But long-term use of antacids containing aluminum hydroxide can prevent the body from absorbing phosphorus and result in the loss of bone minerals.