Stomach Ulcer Help

Ulcers are holes and sores found in the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. They can either occur in your small intestine, known as duodenal ulcer, or on your stomach, referred to as gastric ulcer. Ulcers can be very painful, so it is helpful to understand both their causes and appropriate treatments.

Causes and Symptoms

• A bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes ulcers. Aside from H. pylori, the juices and acids that originate from your stomach may aggravate these ulcers by burning your digestive tract's lining. Stress is also a possible contribution to the development of your ulcers.

  Anti-inflammatory medications can also cause ulcers. Long-term usage may cause damage in your stomach's lining and trigger the ulcers. Examples of these drugs include ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and ketoprofen.

  Symptoms of an ulcer include: During meals, you feel full quickly; you feel bloated and heavy, plus you get a burning sensation in your stomach; the pain causes you to wake up from your sleep; weight loss; vomiting.

Medical Treatments

• One method for ulcer treatment is to get rid of its cause, the H. pylori. Other forms of treatment targets lowering the acid production in your stomach.

  A treatment called triple therapy is administered to destroy H. pylori. It combines two antibiotics, with bismuth subsalicylate. Additional medication may be added to reduce the acid in your stomach.

  Several other types of medication may be used for ulcer treatment. Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are responsible for reducing acid production in your stomach. Positive results can be felt within three days.

  An antacid will neutralize the acid in your stomach and will help protect its lining from the burning effects of the acid. This speeds up the healing process of your stomach.

  Misoprostol is another form of medication which is capable of reducing acid production while protecting the stomach's lining.

Home Remedies

• A healthier diet is very beneficial to the treatment of ulcers. Recommended foods include mango, banana, dates, melon, cabbage and milk

  Almond milk supplies the body with good protein and gets rid of the excess acids in the stomach. Goat's milk is also an effective treatment for ulcers.

  Sour or citrus fruits and greasy food should be avoided. Quit smoking, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, and try to reduce your everyday stress. This can help speed up the healing of your stomach and prevent the recurrence of ulcers.