An ulcer is like a painful sore that forms in the stomach. It affects millions of people worldwide each year, so it’s a very common illness.
There are two types of ulcers in the stomach: gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. A gastric ulcer is a sore that appears in the lining of the stomach, while a duodenal ulcer is a sore that forms in the upper part of the small intestine.
The main cause of stomach ulcers is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Taking aspirin and certain pain-relieving medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) regularly can also contribute to developing an ulcer.
In this article, you will learn some helpful tips for managing and treating ulcers so that people with this condition can feel better and eventually get rid of it.
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5 Health Tips for Ulcer Patients
In order to manage the symptoms and promote healing, it’s important for ulcer patients to take good care of themselves. Here are some helpful health tips for managing H. pylori-associated ulcers:
1. Mind your diet
The food you eat can either make your ulcer symptoms worse or help calm them down. Some people think that spicy and peppery foods cause ulcers, but that’s not true. They only make the symptoms worse and more uncomfortable.
It’s also a good idea to avoid certain foods if you have an ulcer. Stay away from heavily fried foods, milk, coffee, alcohol, caffeine, citrus fruits or juice, and fizzy drinks. These foods and drinks can make your symptoms worse and make it harder to go about your day.
If you have an ulcer, it’s best to avoid alcohol completely because it slows down the healing process and interferes with the effectiveness of your medications. Instead, try to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, herbs, fermented dairy products, honey, and bread.
Additionally, it’s helpful to follow a diet that is low in fat and easy to digest. This will be easier on your stomach and can help with your ulcer symptoms.
2. Mind your medications
Most ulcer patients take prescription drugs to help the ulcer heal and reduce the pain. For example, some meds can help to kill H. pylori bacteria. But these drugs won’t work effectively if you don’t take them as planned.
Also, avoid antacids. Antacids can help you feel better or relieve you of pain for a while, but they don’t heal stomach ulcers. The worst is that they may slow down the activity of the antibiotics in the body.
3. Stay away from smoking and alcoholism
Epidemiological studies have shown that cigarette smoking delays ulcer healing and increases the recurrence and incidence of gastric and duodenal ulcers. If you want to heal, you must avoid smoking, both direct and indirect smoking.
Also, research has shown that alcohol impairs or slows down the wound-healing process and increases the incidence of infection growth.
Stay off them smoking and drinking completely.
4. Stay off painkillers
Pain killers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the second-most common causative factor of stomach ulcers.
NSAIDs include drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), aspirin (Bayer), and naproxen (Aleve). If you must take a painkiller while on ulcer medication, it is advised that you inform your doctor first.
Do not just get over-the-counter NSAIDs. They may worsen your ulcer condition.
5. Manage your stress level
Stress does not cause stomach ulcers, but the body’s natural response to stress can aggravate stomach acids, which may worsen your ulcer condition.
So it is advised you intentionally make plans to reduce activities that stress you and create more time for rest. Stress is not only dangerous to your ulcer but to your overall well-being.
Conclusion
You can permanently heal from a stomach ulcer with proper diet and medication. Identify those foods and drinks that irritate the ulcer symptoms in you and stay off them completely in your healing journey. Maintain close contact with your doctor during this period. Ulcers, if properly managed, can heal fast, but if not properly managed, they can get worse and interfere with your daily activities and might lead to death.
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