What Kind Of Doctor Treats Peptic Ulcers
- If you suspect you may have a peptic ulcer, you may first be diagnosed by your family practitioner or internist.
- Children or teenagers may see a pediatrician.
- For further treatment you will likely be referred to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in disorders of the digestive tract.
- If you have an emergency such as vomiting or severe abdominal pain you will be seen by an emergency medicine specialist in an emergency room.
- In the rare case where surgery is needed, you may see a general surgeon.
Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcer
Helicobacter pylori
References:
Types Of Stomach Ulcers
Ulcers can develop in various parts of the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Contrary to popular belief, research shows that men develop duodenal ulcers more often than any other kind, including stomach ulcers. On the other hand, the opposite is true for women: They tend to develop more stomach ulcers and fewer ulcers of the duodenal.
Many doctors refer to stomach ulcers simply as peptic ulcers. A few other types of ulcers and names that ulcers sometimes go by include:
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More Attacks On Gastric Mucosa
In addition to H. pylori and NSAIDs, alcohol, vinegar, many spices, and excess bile salts can damage the gastric mucosal barrier as well. Deficiency in vitamin A and the trace elements of zinc and folic acid also predispose to mucosa damage. An excessive amount of salt encourages H. pylori growth in the stomach as well. Sleep deprivation can worsen the effect of the NSAIDs indomethacin-induced damage in the mucosa. Sleep deprivation also increases gastric acidity, histamine, and gastrin and reduces blood flow to the mucosal barrier.6
Acute stress and fear can also prove damaging to a healthful stomach lining. Irregularity in meals and sleep can imbalance the autonomic nervous regulation of the stomach.
What Causes A Stomach Ulcer
It is commonly said that spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers but that is not the case at all. Stress and spicy foods can aggravate a stomach ulcer but most of the time stomach ulcers are caused by an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, also known as H.Pylori.
Other times ulcers are brought on by the long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and Aleve. Always use these over the counter drugs sparingly and consult your physician for alternate pain management solutions.
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Stomach Ulcer Treatment Plan: 4 Natural Treatments
1. Boost Immunity Against H.pylori
Many people host H. pylori in their bodies, but only a minority of people infected with H. pylori develop ulcers. A highly inflammatory lifestyle weakens the immune system and makes the digestive system more susceptible to an infection caused by H. pylori bacterium. H. pylori itself can then cause even more inflammation within the stomach and small intestine, creating a vicious cycle thats hard to break.
Research shows that today about 30 percent to 40 percent of people in the U.S. get an H. pylori infection, but usually the infection remains dormant, without any noticeable symptoms emerging for years or even ever. Other research suggests that H. pylori is present in more than 90 percent of duodenal ulcers and about 80 percent of stomach ulcers.
H. pylori contributes to ulcers by damaging the mucous coating that protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum from acids. Once damaged, stomach acid is able to get through to the sensitive lining, causing burning and irritation. H. pylori can be spread through unclean water, food or utensils, plus through bodily fluids but its only likely to cause an ulcer when someones immunity is low for other reasons.
You can also protect yourself from H. pylori infection by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and by eating foods that have been cooked completely.
2. Limit Use of NSAID Pain Relievers
3. Manage Stress
4. Eat A Stomach Ulcer Diet
Common Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcer
Ulcers can cause many symptoms, the most apparent of which is dull or severe pain. The severity of the symptoms can depend on the severity of the ulcer.
1. Weight Loss2. Dull pain in the stomach3. Vomiting8. Dehydration, weakness, and fatigue9. Bleeding when going to the bathroom10. Dark, Tarry tools14. Easily feeling full
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Here Some Foods That Help Heal Stomach Ulcers
Cabbage
Cabbage is a good lactic acid food that does a great work by producing amino acid and helps in promoting blood flow to the stomach lining, to heal the ulcer.
Further on, the vitamin C rich cabbage is also helpful for patients with H. pylori infections. Studies also found that fresh carrot juice possess antiulcer factor .
Tip: Make a fresh juice of cabbage and carrot, consume half cup of this juice before each meal and at bedtime. Repeat this for few weeks for better results.
Bananas
Both raw and ripe bananas are found to be very beneficial in curing stomach ulcer. There are certain antibacterial compounds in bananas that inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori. Bananas are best to clear out the acidity of gastric juices that lowers the inflammation and strengthens the stomach lining.
Tip: Eat three ripe bananas in a day to get relief from an ulcer. You can also buy green banana powder, blend 2 tbsp of banana powder and 1 tbsp of honey. Have this mixture 3 times in a day for a week.
Cayenne Pepper/Jalapenos
We all go for a bland diet to treat an ulcer, but amazingly cayenne pepper is found to be helpful in treating stomach ulcers. As per a study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the capsaicin compound in cayenne pepper hinders the secretion of stomach acids, promotes the mucus secretions and gastric mucosal blood flow, thus prevents and heals the ulcers.
Coconut
Tip: Drink fresh coconut milk twice a day for a week for best results.
Natural Treatments For Stomach Ulcers
04/03/2019 | 7 min. read
Dr. David Williams
Ulcers are basically sores that develop in the lining of the digestive tract. These sores are spots where the stomachs or intestine’s lining has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. Ulcers typically heal and recur.
There are a few types of ulcers, and in general, the names of the ulcers specify where they are found. An ulcer in the part of the small intestine called the duodenum is known as a duodenal ulcer, while a stomach ulcer is commonly referred to as a peptic ulcer. Symptoms will depend on where the ulcer is located and can vary widely. Some people may have no symptoms while others experience an intermittent burning and gnawing sensation along with feeling empty and hungry.
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How To Treat A Stomach Ulcer Naturally At Home 7 Tips
Stomach ulcers which are also called gastric or peptic ulcers cause pain in the lining of the stomach because of the open sores and acid present in the stomach. There are many causes of stomach ulcers such as anti-inflammatory pills like naproxen or ibuprofen and painkillers such as aspirin. Therefore, the treatments for stomach ulcer depend on the causes of this disease. The common treatments are the use of antibiotics and medication which aim to reduce, control and block acid in the stomach. However, the good news is that instead of antibiotics and medication, we have many alternative treatments on how to treat a stomach ulcer naturally at home.
Are You Suffering A Drug Side Effect
Besides these underlying conditions, please beware that certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can also cause heartburn. Common culprits include anxiety medications and antidepressants, , blood pressure medications, nitroglycerin, osteoporosis drugs, and pain relievers.
If your heartburn is caused by a medication youre taking, the answer is, of course, to address what, when, and how youre taking that drug. Please do not make the mistake of simply adding yet another drug to counteract this side effect. WebMD4offers a number of helpful tips for how to address drug-induced heartburn, such as:
- Avoid taking more than the recommended or prescribed dose
- Some medications are best taken on an empty stomach, while others are less likely to cause side effects like heartburn when taken with a meal. Check the label for instructions, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on when and how to take your medication
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review ALL the medications and supplements youre taking to see if one or more of them cause heartburn.
- Changing the dose or switching to another medication may be advisable to ease your heartburn. Some drugs may be available in cream form rather than a pill, which would be far less likely to cause heartburn
- Avoid laying down right after taking your medication
- Drink some ginger tea
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Drink Apple Cider Vinegar With Water
Being a probiotic liquid, apple cider vinegar is naturally rich in live bacteria and yeast that offer several benefits for the digestive health.
It helps restore the pH of the stomach, which in turn help treat the ulcer and relieve the pain.
A 2016 study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine highlights the possible use of probiotics in H. pylori eradication, one of the main causes of ulcers.
Fight The Infection With A Little Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin in cayenne pepper can help alleviate uneasiness and treat a stomach ulcer naturally.
Capsaicin soothes the mucosal lining of the stomach and increases the release of alkali, which helps ease the discomfort and aid in the treatment of ulcers.
A 1997 study published in FEMS Microbiology Letters, found that capsaicin supplementation or consumption inhibited the growth of H. pylori.
According to a review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2006, the compound capsaicin present in cayenne pepper inhibits the secretion of stomach acids, boosts the production of alkali, and stimulates mucus secretions and gastric mucosal blood flow, thereby preventing and healing ulcers.
- Mix a â teaspoon of cayenne pepper into 1 glass of warm water. Drink the solution twice a day for 3 days. Gradually increase the amount of cayenne pepper up to ¼ teaspoon for the rest of the week.
- Alternatively, take cayenne capsules that are available at health food stores. Consult your doctor for the right dosage.
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Stomach Ulcer Symptoms You Cant Ignore And How To Naturally Treat Them
May 20, 2019
Chances are that if you havent experienced one yourself, you at least know someone whos had a stomach ulcer at one point or another. Estimates show that about 500,000 new cases of peptic ulcers are reported each year in the U.S. alone, and at any given time about 5 million people are affected. In addition, one in 10 adults can expect to deal with painful ulcers at one point or another.
For many years, doctors thought that high amounts of stress alone could cause a stomach ulcer to form by increasing production of stomach acid. But then research emerged in the 1980s showing that frequent use of anti-inflammatory drugs , a poor lifestyle, and especially a type of bacterial infection caused by the strain Helicobacter pylori are the real culprits of the majority of ulcers.
Fortunately, according to an article published in The Lancet, prevalence of H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer diseases have become substantially less prevalent than they were two decades ago.
Wondering how to treat a stomach ulcer if youve already developed one? Below well cover much more about stomach ulcer treatments including medications, stress management and dietary changes.
Avoid Stress And Panic:
Stress and anxiety will put the pressure in your stomach, leading to ulcers. Although meditation will not make the stomach ulcer disappear, it is said that stress and anxiety are contributing factors of ulcers. Therefore, as the way on how to treat a stomach ulcer, you should take care of your mental health. It is recommended that regular exercise will help you reduce stress and restore your energy. Therefore, 30-minutes of right exercise will keep the ulcers on bay. Smoking is also the cause of stress. If you want to get rid of stress as well as stomach ulcer, it is needed to avoid bad habit including smoking.
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What Is An Ulcer
Ulcers are breaks in the lining of your stomach or your intestinal lining . Stomach ulcers are more common, and that is what I had.
It is a common belief that ulcers are caused by stress. This actually isnt true. Stress may be a contributing factor. However more recently, scientists are studying the link between the Helicobacter pylori bacteria and ulcers. This bacteria is present in a majority of people who have ulcers especially chronic ones. You may want to ask your doctor to do a stool test for the H. pylori bacteria before you decide on your treatment plan.
Ulcers have also been linked to chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Being aware of your usage of NSAIDs is also important in approaching treatment, especially since you will want to avoid them if you want to heal your ulcer.
Note: I tested negative for the H. Pylori bacteria. I also do not normally use NSAIDs. The cause of my ulcer has never been verified.
Mechanism Of Gastric Ulcerogenesis
Gastric ulcers are a deep defect in the gastric wall involving the mucosal thickness and the muscularis mucosae. A gastric ulcer results from tissue necrosis induced by various conditions, such as aspirin, indomethacin, bile acids, alcohol intake, ischemia, stress, aging and H. pylori infection, the so called excess increment of damaging factors far exceeding the defense capacity. These conditions are known to disturb the mechanisms of gastric mucosal defense and develop characteristic morphological, ultrastructural and functional changes. When gastric mucosa is exposed to damaging agents, it encompasses the disruption of the unstirred mucus/bicarbonate/phospholipid layer, exfoliation of the surface epithelium with loss of its barrier and the deeper gastric mucosal layers, including microvascular endothelial cells, progenitor, parietal and chief cells. When the capillary endothelium was damaged, it led to microvascular stasis with cessation of oxygen and nutrient delivery and hypoxia. Microvascular damage occurs early during mucosal injury, leading to hypoxia and necrosis of glandular cells and thus adding an ischemic component to the direct toxic injury of cells. Vasoconstriction events produced by release of vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators from damaged mast cells, macrophages and endothelial cells further impair the mucosal microcirculation and ultimately result in mucosal necrosis in the form of ulcers
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Natural Cure And Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcer
The following are natural alternative methods that can help in the treatment of stomach ulcers:
- Alcohol:
What Is The Treatment For Peptic Ulcers
The choice of treatment depends on whether or not the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori. Correct diagnosis is key to whether a treatment works or not. If the bacteria are the cause, treatment focuses on killing the infection. Regardless of whether the bacteria are the cause, reducing acid in the stomach is another important focus of treatment.
The following treatments are recommended for ulcers:
- Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs
- Acid-blocking medications
- Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum
- “Triple-therapy” or “dual-therapy” regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori
No single medication works to get rid of H pylori infection. Two combinations have been found that work well in most people.
These treatments are generally given for two weeks.
Once H pylori bacteria are eradicated from a person’s digestive tract, usually it will not come back. The ulcers usually heal completely and do not return.
Treatment for bleeding ulcers depends on the severity of blood loss and includes:
It is important to remember that treatment may not work if the diagnosis is not correct. If the doctor diagnoses an ulcer, it is important to determine whether the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori.
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