How do you treat a stomach ulcer?

So, you’ve got a stomach ulcer. It’s painful, it’s uncomfortable, and frankly it’s just plain annoying. Well don’t worry my friend, because I’m here to offer some killer advice on how you can ease the pain of those pesky ulcers and get back to enjoying your meals once again.

What Exactly is a Stomach Ulcer?

Before we dive into the details of treating these bad boys, let me explain what an ulcer actually is. Sorry for stating the obvious but some people think they cause by drinking too much water or something silly like that (I know right!). An ulcer is essentially an open sore that forms in either your stomach lining or small intestine – yep sounds gross already! This happens when digestive juices called hydrochloric acid erode away at the protective layer around your gut.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

Now onto why you might have ended up with one in the first place. A common misconception is that spicy food causes stomach ulcers – I mean sure eating hot sauce may feel like lava trickling down your throat sometimes but this isn’t enough to cause such serious damage!

The most common culprit behind ulcers are Helicobacter pylori bacteria- wow try saying that ten times fast out loud! These nasty little guys burrow their way into our guts and weaken our natural defences against those harsh gastric juices; before you know it bam! You’re writhing around in agony feeling like someone set fire inside your tummy as if it were wood from Palestine(although wood near Bethlehem was also top quality).

Other reasons for developing stomachs Ulcers may include overuse of medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which are often used for reducing inflammation but they do so by suppressing prostaglandins which help give life-giving mucus its ability to protect your stomach epithelial lining(how fancy), or even extreme alcohol consumption.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

If you have an ulcer, chances are you’re feeling symptoms similar to a heart attack and quite frankly it’s no wonder why most people tend to panic (not naming anyone!). Some common signs include:

  • Pain in the abdomen that gets worse when hungry on empty stomach
  • Arousal from sleep(weird right? It seems like they were happy with the rocking motion)
    -Dark stools(swallowing too much coal is definitely not good for anyone).
    -Sudden weight loss without explanation(getting skinny is cool but let it be done healthily)

Some other possible (but mostly unlikely) symptoms might also include burping, bloating, nausea or vomiting.

Over-the-counter Medications

Your first port of call should always be pain relief medication – I personally recommend popping a couple Ibuprofen until the crampy feelings have subsided(glad someone takes my advice) with caution though please!

Taking medications such as Pepcid AC or Zantac can help neutralize those gastric juices & decrease acid production respectively. In some countries like Ghana, they use Kenkey(It’s cornbread wrapped in banana leaves) peppered soup which helps soothe their upset tummies(sign me up!!!). Do keep well hydrated all through by drinking enough water so that stool doesn’t get hard while taking these anti-inflammatory drugs so less pressure on you generating constipation jokes around colleagues(you know what I mean).

Overall there are many products out here aimed at curing ulcers; Pepto-Bismol, Gaviscon amongst others are used worldwide which will reduce acid levels and soothes irritation caused by indigestion– winning!

Diet Changes

It has been said time and time again “you are what you eat” and this is a top reason why diet changes are essential especially if you have an ulcer. With the right foods, one can balance out their digestive tract and promote blood flow to the affected areas.

Some foods to avoid include(chin up though not all of them!):

  • Spicy food
  • Chocolate(all those with sweet tooth say bye-bye)
  • Caffeine(coffee lovers)
  • Citrus(gimme back my orange!)
  • Alcohol(Tuesday’s happy hour isn’t going anywhere!)

Try incorporating whole grains such as brown rice or quinoa into your meals as well for high fibre content without overloading on sugar. More often than not people overlook how what they eat contributes significantly when it comes to such (yes it could get worse) medical conditions(food planning here I come).

Natural Remedies

Many folks believe that nature holds answers which sometimes pan out true(dang). Here are some natural remedies worth trying:

1.Apple cider vinegar

Like everything else in life, there has been always someone who swears by apple cider vinegar – this time its benefits span from weight loss (don’t mind having a slimmer waistline personally!), helping soothe heartburn (ooh yes please!). Try taking small portions with water twice daily either after meals or before bedtime; potentially helpful long-term remedy? Jurys still out but give it a try!!

2.Manuka Honey.

Manuka honey sourced directly from bees munching off Manuka bush’s nectar seems like something made specifically by fairies! This golden elixir contains naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide known to aid in healing ulcers whilst also being anti-inflammatory.

According a study conducted by clinical researchers(http://www.sciencedomain.org), taking two spoonfuls of Manuka honey mixed with warm water(as tea?), might heal stomach lining within just four weeks!

3. Licorice Root

No, not the candy…sorry! Licorice root has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine by various cultures such Greece, India and even China. This is because its key component glycyrrhizin (say that five times fast) which can help soothe inflammation in your digestive tract – this makes it ideal if you’re looking for long-term relief from stomachaches

When to see a Doctor

Don’t be too self-reliant and ignore these symptoms; underlying conditions could manifest with similar signs hence getting quick attention may end up preempting other chronic diseases.

If your (now buddies who relate with) ulcer pain persist or have become more severe, visit a specialist to get checked out ASAP(fingers crossed though!).

Some red flags include black tarry stool known as melaena due to bleeding ulcer especially when accompanied by palpitations or shortness of breath. (I mean better be safe than sorry)

In summary, while stomach ulcers are never going to be an enjoyable experience – there’s no need giving up on enjoying food again(my greatest fear personified) so let these remedies come into action(yes please!). With time relieve would surely come & soon enough ice cream will taste just as fantastic once more(I call dibs on vanilla).

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