What Kind of Diet Is Good for Bleeding Ulcers?

Ulcers are a common painful condition that can strike anyone at almost any time. Although ulcers were originally thought to be caused by stress, they are actually caused by bacteria. Although medication should form the backbone of any ulcer treatment plan, sticking to a targeted diet can help minimize symptoms and accelerate recovery.

Peptic Ulcers

• An ulcer is a small hole in the lining of your stomach that has been eaten away by stomach acid. Although there is normally a mucus layer that prevents your stomach lining from being damaged during the process of digestion, the bacteria H. pylori causes that lining to weaken, making you susceptible to developing an ulcer. The normal course of treatment for a bleeding ulcer is to use antibiotics to stave off the infection. The difference between an ulcer and a bleeding ulcer is that a bleeding ulcer has been left untreated for some time, allowing it to eat into the blood vessels, and causing blood to leak into the digestive tract.

Diet and Bleeding Ulcers

• Diet can help with a bleeding ulcer by minimizing your discomfort by avoiding trigger foods that are likely to exacerbate symptoms. Certain food types encourage far more stomach acid activity, potentially increasing the damage caused by the H. pylori bacteria. Going on an elimination diet (wholly removing those food groups) during the course of your ulcer treatment is the best thing you can do to ensure a rapid recovery.

Foods to Avoid

• As a major stomach irritant, eliminating caffeine consumption is paramount while dealing with a bleeding ulcer. Furthermore, you will want to curtail consumption of spicy foods. Lactose products--especially milk--often present difficulties for individuals with ulcers, so if in doubt you might want to steer clear. Finally, wholly eliminate your consumption of alcohol, refined flour and sugar.

Foods to Consume

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, foods that contain flavonoids can actually inhibit the growth of H. pylori. These foods include celery, cranberries, apples, garlic, and onions. Generally speaking, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and fiber is your best bet when dealing with a bleeding ulcer. Aim to consume at least one fruit and one vegetable with each meal. Replace most of the red meat in your diet with leaner cuts, such as chicken and turkey.

Considerations

• The experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center also recommend supplementing with a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus to help combat a bleeding ulcer. Take a dose that provides between five and 10 billion CFUs per day. You should also be taking a daily multivitamin (containing at least vitamins A, B, C, and E) to help round out your nutritional intake.