A stomach ulcer occurs when the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine develops an open sore (injury). It is also referred to as ‘Peptic Ulcer’.
While antibiotics and antacids may be needed to treat a stomach ulcer, there is an urgent need to watch certain foods that can aggravate the symptoms including, a burning sensation, gas, nausea, and vomiting, pain, indigestion, etc.
A list of foods to avoid has been put together in this piece that will help you keep symptoms flare-ups to a minimum and promote faster recovery. Read on!
Stomach ulcer comes with some symptoms and only when you experience such symptoms will you be able to confirm you have it. Below are the common symptoms of Stomach Ulcer
It is advisable to see your doctor if you experience any of those symptoms so that anti-bacterial to treat the bacterial infection or an antacid to reduce acid in the digestive tract may be recommended.
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Why do you have an ulcer?
You might be wondering why you have an ulcer or might have even concluded on the cause of your ulcer. I will be sharing the scientifically proven cause of a stomach ulcer here.
Contrary to popular belief, spicy food or stress is not the cause of stomach ulcers neither was the stomach bitten by worms but spicy foods can trigger irritation of an existing stomach thereby causing discomfort.
Fact is, The major and most common cause of ulcer is a bacteria called Helicopter Pylori (H.Pylori). when the bacteria affect the stomach, its pave way for the stomach acid to damage the lining of the stomach. H.pylori can be spread through the saliva of an infected person hence be sure of those you kiss, another the bacteria can spread is through unclean food (intake generally).
Other causes of Ulcer are through medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, and others.
You may notice lightheadedness, bloody vomit, sticky, bloody, and dark stool in cases where bleeding occurs.
At one point you were happy your stomach ulcer is gone and probably celebrating your freedom from the discomforting ulcer pain. But suddenly, you started noticing the symptoms again and wondering what happened. Well, there was something you were not doing right. Some reason why ulcer recurs are:
Poor Hygiene
The bacteria causing stomach Ulcers can be spread from person to person through saliva, contaminated foods, or water. For this reason, your meal should be well cooked or buy from a clean restaurant and do well to wash your hand on a regular interval.
Alcohol
If you are back to drinking alcohol, then you are inviting ulcers. Excessive consumption of alcohol has been considered to increase the risk of developing an ulcer and it can irritate the stomach lining. Steer clear of alcohol if you want to get rid of an ulcer.
Smoking
The bacteria causing ulcer is more detrimental to smokers. Smoking irritates the stomach lining and that of the small intestine.
Painkiller
A painkiller such as aspirin and ibuprofen increase the risk of developing ulcer at the same time it inflames the lining of the stomach causing an increase in the influx of acid in the digestive tract
Alcohol increases the volume of gastric acid in your system and also dehydrates you, this of course exacerbated symptoms of an ulcer. Alcohol when too much is not good for anyone whether or not you are suffering from an ulcer as people can develop an ulcer from excessive consumption of alcohol. If you are already suffering from an ulcer, stay away from alcoholic beverages or reduce their consumption to the barest minimum.
Red meat takes time to digest because of its high fat and protein content. Ulcer patients should avoid it, this is because the meat requires more acid to digest it and more acid can irritate the lining of the stomach thereby worsening the symptoms of ulcers. You can substitute red meat with chicken, fish, and turkey which contain lean proteins, and do not forget to remove fatty parts before cooking.
Are you suffering from an ulcer and still taking coffee? If yes, it’s wrong and you need to stop it to hasten the recovery process of stomach ulcers, although, coffee does not cause ulcers it is able to irritate existing ones. This is because of its caffeine and other content that are known to increase stomach acid production.
some people may find that a cold creamy cup of milk provides some temporary relief, but in reality, it worsens the symptoms of a peptic ulcer. Whole milk as well as many dairy products are high in fat that can aggravate your current symptoms. also, the protein in milk may encourage the production of excess stomach acid that can make an ulcer worse. Even drinking milk on a full stomach can make things worse. Along with whole milk, strong-flavored cheeses, cream, and buttermilk should also be avoided
It is a common misconception that spicy foods cause ulcers, the truth is spicy food does not cause ulcers. However, when consumed it can irritate an already existing Ulcer and that is why an ulcer’s patience needs to steer clear of spicy food. There is also a scientific discovery that the capsaicin present in red pepper-like cayenne pepper, may help slow down acid secretion instead of stimulating it, stimulate alkali, mucus secretion, and gastric mucosal blood flow.
Once your stomach produces acid more than the normal requirement, it irritates the stomach lining and that of the small intestine. This excess acid production can be triggered by carbonated drinks this is because it contains citric acid as preservative and flavor enhancer, which in turns increases the acidity of the drink. You need to cut down on carbonated drinks so as not to worsen symptoms.
Avoid adding salt to your food if you are suffering from an ulcer high intake of salt is linked to a higher risk of stomach ulcers. in fact, high salt is not only bad for ulcer patients but also bad for the immune system. Generally, salt should be consumed minimally.
There are foods you should eat to help ameliorate the condition. Food like cabbage, berries, apples, bell pepper, honey, garlic, and more should be added to your diet.
The treatment for ulcers depends on the Stomach ulcer is actually not a deadly condition once it is diagnosed early. The condition is better handled in its mild state as bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening. It can be cured if you pay attention to it in the form of drugs, lifestyle management among other things. Knowing you have an ulcer is one thing, being conscious of your consumption and lifestyle is another thing, this will help you keep your ulcer in check.
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Naturopathic Doctor & Founder, Green Remedies Int’l
Coach Amuda is a Holistic Practitioner and the C.E.O of Green Remedies International, a wellness company that specializes in tackling different health challenges through Natural, Organic, and Holistic Medicines.
Green Remedies Internation is a Nigerian Natural Herbal Treatment company that specializes in tackling different health challenges through Natural, Organic, and Traditional Medicines.
