How to Get Rid of An Ulcer?
Stomach ulcers are sores located in the small intestine or stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are also called peptic ulcers. These ulcers occur when the mucus membrane that protects your gut from digestive juices starts thinning. According to experts, around four million people in the United States alone have stomach ulcers. So, it is quite necessary to learn how to get rid of an ulcer.
Discover the Causes
Before you’ll learn how to get rid of an ulcer, it is necessary to be acquainted with its causes and symptoms.
Most stomach ulcers are not caused by one factor. The thinning or decrease in the stomach’s mucus lining is generally caused by an infection by a bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori. Long term overdose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin can also lead to the development of ulcers.
There are many risk factors that contribute to the development of stomach ulcers. If you have the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, you are susceptible to ulcers as this rare disease makes the body produce extra stomach acid.
Other behaviors and factor can put people at risk for developing ulcers, including:
– Smoking
– Genetics or family history of ulcers
– Overproduction of calcium or hypercalcemia
– Consumption of alcohol
– Consider the Symptoms
There are many different symptoms that are associated with ulcers. The severity of each symptom heavily depends on the severity of the stomach ulcer.
Stomach ulcer can be very painful, so it is important to know the important how to get rid of an ulcer. The pain can be more intense if your stomach is empty. It can last for several minutes and even hour.
Other symptoms include:
– Weight loss
– Burning pain in the stomach
– Lack of appetite because of pain
– Vomiting or nausea
– Bloating
– Heartburn
– Burping
On Natural Remedies
If you have stomach ulcers, it is best to consult your doctor right away. But, here are some of the “how to get rid of an ulcer” tips that involve all natural remedies:
1. Take a lot of Vitamin E
A study conducted at the Kiev Medical Institute has revealed that the symptoms of patients who take around 300 milligrams of Vitamin E daily were relieved in 4 to 6 days. Vitamin E can also increase the protein repair in the intestinal linings.
2. Bananas
The sitoinosides contained in dried and unripe bananas can increase and thicken the mucus in the digestive tract. Bananas can help heal and prevent stomach ulcers. Bananas also contain water-soluble polysaccharides, the compounds that are contained in the anti-ulcer drug called Carafate.
Here’s how to get rid of an ulcer using bananas. Peel the bananas and cut them into slices. Dry them in the sun. You can also use an over or a food dehydrator. You have to grind the dried bananas into fine powder. Then, mix around two tablespoons of the powder with 1 teaspoon of honey and then drink it. You need to take this at least 3 times a day before each meal.
3. Garlic
Using garlic as a remedy is one of the most effective “how to get rid of an ulcer” tips. Garlic has miraculous healing powers and various therapeutic and preventive benefits. As mentioned earlier, the overgrowth of the bacterium called H. Pylori can lead to the development of ulcers. A study conducted in Seattle shows that garlic create an antimicrobial activity against the bacterium H Pylori.
4. Honey
Honey can do wonders. It is also an effective ulcer treatment because it contains glucose oxidase. This enzyme produced hydrogen peroxide which fights and kills the harmful bacteria that can cause the development of ulcers.
Honey also contains floral anti-bacterial properties that bees have collected from the pollen of different flowers. But some types and varieties of honey are more effective in healing ulcers. Honey from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia are more effective in treating stomach ulcers. But, it is important to use all-natural and unprocessed honey.
5. Cabbage
If you have a stomach ulcer, it is best to eat a lot of cabbage. Cabbage is filled with vitamins and mineral that can help fight the bacteria that can cause stomach ulcer. You can also use the cabbage juice to heal and prevent duodenal and peptic ulcers. Studies show that cabbage juice is 92% effective in the treatment of ulcers. Cabbage is also a potent source of Vitamin C. Cabbage juice is also an effective, safe, and cheap remedy.
6. Licorice
Certain studies show that licorice works well as Cimetidine in treating stomach ulcers. This treatment is the best choice if you are taking ulcer-causing drugs like cortisone derivatives, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
7. Capsaicin
Eating hot chili peppers does not cause gastric ulcer. In fact, it prevents the development of gastric ulcers. Hot chili peppers contain capsaicin which can decrease the acid output of the stomach, making them effective in protecting your stomach from the infections and ulcerations caused by NAIDs and alcohol. Consuming foods that are rich in capsaicin is one of the most effective “how to get rid of an ulcer” tip.
Triggers and Solutions
Another tip on getting rid of an ulcer is to avoid those listed below, as they tend to induce ulcer-related symptoms:
– Coffee
– Hot Cocoa
– Soft drinks
– Spearmint and peppermint tea
– Whole milk
– Chocolate milk
– Green tea
– Black tea
– Grapefruit juice
– Orange juice
– Cream
– Flavored cheeses
– High fat meats like salami, bacon, sausage, ham, and cold cuts
If you ask medical professionals for an effective tip on how to get rid of an ulcer, they’ll tell you to eat the right foods. You have to choose lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and beans. You should also consume canola oil and olive oil.
It is also best to consult a nutritionist or a dietician if you want to get rid of your ulcer. It is also recommended to eat small, frequent meals.
If the symptoms persist, it is important to consult your physician. There are many non-surgical medical treatments available. Your doctor may prescribe H2 blockers that will prevent your stomach from producing too much acid. He or she may also ask you to take over-the-counter antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and cytoprotective agents. But, these drugs have many side effects, including diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, ad nausea. But, the side effects are temporary.
If the symptoms keep returning or if you are bleeding, you may need to undergo surgery. Your doctor may remove your entire ulcer or tie off a certain bleeding artery. Your doctor may also cut off the nerve supply to your stomach to help reduce the production of stomach acid. He or she may also take a tissue from another part of your intestines and sew it over the infected area.
Prevention is Best
It is important to know how to get rid of an ulcer. But, it is also important to prevent it from developing in the first place, mainly by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating right.