Stomach ulcer symptoms are characterized by a burning sensation
in the stomach, sometimes mistaken for heartburn. These symptoms can
last anywhere from one half hour to several hours and may happen at any
time. Although once thought to be caused mainly by stress, recent
research shows that some stomach ulcers
may be caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria which can be passed from person to person through kissing and contaminated foods.
may be caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria which can be passed from person to person through kissing and contaminated foods.
There
are two types of ulcers that people think of as stomach or peptic
ulcers, the gastric ulcer which is actually formed in the stomach and
the duodenal ulcer which forms beyond the stomach and the first foot of
the small intestine. Stomach ulcers affect millions of people each
year.
To relieve stomach ulcer symptoms naturally, your best bet
is to change your eating habits. Certain foods can irritate ulcers and
should be avoided which include spicy and fried foods, fatty foods and
acidic foods. Although many people think that milk is a good way to
relieve ulcer symptoms it should be taken in small amounts as the milk
proteins can cause more gastric acids to be made which can irritate your
ulcer. You should also avoid aspirin, tea, coffee, ibuprofen, alcohol
and cigarettes.
Another natural way to relieve symptoms of a
stomach ulcer is to make sure your diet is rich in soluble fiber. Some
say that cabbage can help heal an ulcer as it contains glutamine which
has been shown to heal ulcers and is also very high in fiber.
Other
lifestyle changes such as de-stressing, meditating and yoga can help
with stress-induced ulcers and no matter what kind of ulcer you have
they certainly can't hurt!
While finding natural ways to relieve
your stomach ulcer symptoms is a good idea you also want to be sure that
you visit your doctor to be sure that an ulcer is actually what you
have and to find out about any treatments that might be better for your
particular ulcer. You can also be tested for the Helicobacter pylori
bacterium and if this is present, your doctor may recommend a regimen of
antibiotics to kill off the bacteria and possibly cure your ulcer for
good.
No matter which treatments you're using to relieve your
symptoms or possibly cure your ulcer altogether you need to give them
time to work. You might see relief in a few days but you want to give
it at least six weeks before you give up on the treatment.
While
stomach ulcers are common they are nothing to take lightly. More than 4
million Americans will develop an ulcer each year and 40,000 of them
will have surgery due to stomach ulcer symptoms. While ulcers are not
usually fatal about 6000 Americans die from complications related to
ulcers every year.By
Lee Dobbins