When an ulcer attack hits, it feels as if your stomach is tied up in knots. Supporting the health of your stomach & intestinal lining is crucial.
Ulcer Relief
Updated Apr. 08th, 2024
Gastric and peptic ulcers are erosions of the mucus membrane that line the stomach and upper intestine. Excess digestive juices, deficient digestive juices, bacteria, poor diet, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone and stress can cause ulcers.
General ulcer symptoms are a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, a hungry feeling, nausea and vomiting.
The vomit may look like coffee grounds and stool may be black. Gastric ulcers usually cause pain while eating or soon after eating.
Peptic ulcers produce symptoms several hours after eating and sometimes in the middle of the night. Food that eases the stomach usually helps to stop this type of pain. Ulcers can cause complications like internal bleeding, weight loss, perforation of the digestive tract and anemia.
The conventional treatment for ulcers is to take antacids, antibiotics, ranitidine or cimetidine. These medications treat the symptoms of ulcers however and not the cause. They also do not repair the damaged tissue. In addition, they have various side effects, among them they can cause a rebound in acid production. Some natural interventions are to not lie down following a meal and drink natural juice, like carrot and cabbage juice, to heal the mucosal lining.
Fruits and vegetables that are usually well tolerated by ulcer patients include spinach, cucumber, avocado, cabbage, potato, banana, apple, melon and cantaloupe. Eat soothing foods that produce a protective coating over the digestive tract for example, ground flax seed, yogurt, porridge and congee. Consume fermented products like yogurt, kefir, quark, buttermilk and natural cheeses to replenish the friendly bacteria that assist with nutrient digestion.
Dietary change is often the only way to completely resolve an ulcer. Eliminate all processed and refined foods from the diet. Also avoid fatty, rich foods, vinegar, citrus fruits, plums, coffee and black tea. Cook all foods well and eat small frequent meals in a comfortable environment.
Decrease stress and deal with underlying emotional concerns that may be affecting the ulcers. Place a hot water bottle over the abdomen because warmth increases circulation to the area. Drink marshmallow or slippery elm tea to soothe the digestive tract but allow the tea to cool significantly before drinking it.
