How to Prevent Bleeding Ulcers

An ulcer is a sore that develops in the lining of your stomach or digestive tract. It can be caused by a bacteria known as heliobacter pylori, or by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other factors such as diet, stress and excessive alcohol consumption may play contributing roles in the development of an ulcer. An ulcer may result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Prevention is always the best course of action if possible. Following are a few ways to prevent the development of a bleeding ulcer.

Instructions

• 1

  Avoid drinking alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach lining and interfere with the production of natural stomach secretions that coat the lining of the stomach. It is best to avoid alcohol completely, especially if you have other risk factors such as heredity that indicate you may be prime candidate for the development of an ulcer. If you must consume alcohol, do so in moderation.

• 2

  Watch your diet. Avoid eating spicy and greasy foods that can irritate your stomach lining and cause stomach upset. Avoid eating a lot of processed foods and snacks that are loaded with salt. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

• 3

  Limit caffeine intake. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of beverages such as coffee, tea and soda pop that contain large amounts of caffeine. Soda also contains acid that can irritate and even weaken the stomach lining, causing gastrointestinal upset that may set the stage for ulcer development if you don't already have one. If you do have a bleeding ulcer, excessive amounts of caffeine can wear away more of the stomach lining where the ulcer is present, causing increased bleeding.

• 4

  Avoid smoking. Smoking delays the body's natural healing processes. If you already have a bleeding ulcer, smoking can aggravate the condition. Smoking delays the clotting of blood, thereby slowing down the process that stops the bleeding.

• 5

  Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. These medications are believed to play a large role in the development of ulcers. Aspirin thins the blood, which increases the possibility of bleeding. If you have a bleeding ulcer, consult your physician before taking any medications.

• 6

  Take steps to lower your stress levels. Although there has been a great deal of debate over the actual role of stress in the development of ulcers, some physicians do believe stress plays a pertinent role. Reducing the amount of stress in your life can help prevent the development of an ulcer or reduce the aggravation of an existing ulcer.