How to cure an ulcer

Video: How To Treat Peptic Ulcer |Health Focus|

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Medical Assistance
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet
Part 3 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Tips
Warnings

An ulcer is an injury to the lining of the stomach or the initial section of the intestine. An ulcer develops when acids digesting food damage the stomach or intestinal lining. Ulcers were previously thought to be due to stress, poor diet and lifestyle, but bacteria are now known to be the cause in many cases. Helicobacter pylori (abbreviated H. pylori). If left untreated, the ulcer usually progresses, so a correct diagnosis and dietary and lifestyle changes must be made for a full recovery.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any methods, consult your doctor.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Medical Assistance

1 Identify the symptoms of an ulcer. Gastrointestinal problems are often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of many diseases are similar, including gastritis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and a host of other diseases. If you suspect you have an ulcer, you need to see your doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The ulcer is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- persistent or recurring pain in your stomach or abdomen;
- discomfort or bloating in the abdomen;
- nausea and vomiting;
- loss of appetite;
- traces of blood in vomit;
- dark black or tarry stools, indicating bleeding from the upper part of the small intestine;
- weight loss, pallor, dizziness, and weakness due to constant blood loss.
2 Check with your doctor to rule out other options. Stomach problems can be caused by more than just an ulcer. Based on the history of symptoms, diet, and physical examination, the doctor can rule out other conditions or order additional tests to determine the cause.
- For mild symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve stomach pain and acidity.
- If you have vomiting, black stools, or progressive symptoms, tell your doctor. These symptoms may indicate a serious medical condition that requires treatment. In this case, you will be prescribed tests to determine the cause of the bleeding.
3 Get a diagnosis. The therapist will give you a referral to a gastroenterologist so that you get tested to help diagnose peptic ulcer of the digestive system.
- Other causes can be ruled out with two non-invasive tests - abdominal ultrasound (ultrasound) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While these tests will not detect an ulcer, they will help the doctor rule out other conditions.
- A non-invasive X-ray of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can help identify an ulcer. You will be given a solution of barium sulfate (a liquid that tastes like chalk) to drink, and then an X-ray will be taken to look for signs of stomach ulcers.
- Once you have an ulcer, your doctor may order an endoscopy to determine its exact location and size. In this case, a thin tube is inserted into the throat and stomach under local anesthesia. With a camera, your doctor can see the inside of your digestive tract and take a tissue sample for biopsy.It is a simple and almost painless procedure.
- You will have a breath test to determine if you have an active ulcer caused by bacteria Helicobacter pylori... If you have an ulcer, it will convert the urea used in the dough into carbon dioxide, which you breathe out.
- Stool analysis for pathogenic flora can confirm bleeding and reveal the presence Helicobacter pylori.
- Your doctor may order a blood test to check for antibodies to Helicobacter pylori... A blood test can only show the presence of these bacteria, so it will not confirm that you have an ulcer.
4 Get rid of the cause. To cure an ulcer, the disease that caused it must be eliminated. The correct diagnosis must be made and the treatment recommended by the doctor must be followed. In most cases, medication and dietary changes are prescribed.
- In case of infection Helicobacter pylori antibiotics are often prescribed. Since for treatment Helicobacter pylori combination therapy is required, you will also be prescribed a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Omez) or an H blocker₂-histamine receptors ("Famotidine"), which prevents the secretion of gastric juice and promotes the healing of the walls of the stomach.
- Sucralfate is often used to treat ulcers, but at this time, drugs with this active ingredient are not sold in Russia.
- In extreme cases, surgery may be required, especially if a neglected ulcer has led to complications.
5 Don't take NSAIDs or aspirin. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause ulcers and worsen symptoms. Do not take NSAIDs if you have an active ulcer or for a long time after you have healed.
- If you need pain relievers, talk to your doctor. Sometimes NSAIDs can be taken with an acid-lowering agent, or pain can be relieved by other means.
6 Try to relieve symptoms with over-the-counter antacids. You will often experience upset stomach, nausea and heartburn in the upper abdomen under your ribs. These symptoms can be temporarily relieved with antacids, which, however, will not cure the ulcer. Be careful when doing this, as antacids can interfere with other drugs. The following antacids are available over the counter:
- Calcium carbonate is perhaps the most common over-the-counter antacid and is found in drugs such as Rennie;
- preparations with sodium bicarbonate are also widespread (for example, "Alka-Seltzer");
- it is often recommended to take magnesium hydroxide, which is a part of such drugs as "Almagel" and "Fazostabil";
- a mixture of aluminum and magnesium hydroxides is a part of such preparations as "Gastal" and "Maalox";
- less common antacids with aluminum hydroxide.

Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet

1 Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse. The ulcer can proceed in different ways, so it is difficult to say in advance which foods will be useful and which will be harmful. Some people eat spicy foods without problems, while olives or baked goods cause them severe pain. Try to eat a soft diet while healing your ulcer and identify which foods are making you worse to avoid ulcers in the future.
- Typically, ulcers are harmful to foods high in sugar, processed foods, fried foods, salted meats, alcohol, and coffee.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Try keeping a food diary and writing down everything you eat throughout the day to find out which foods are causing your pain.
- Skip the problem-causing food for a while to get rid of the ulcer. This will speed up healing and you will soon be able to return to a less restrictive diet and lifestyle.
2 Eat more fiber. According to some estimates, on average, you need to eat about 14 grams of dietary fiber per day. Try consuming up to 28–35 grams of fiber per day to help heal your digestive tract. A diet high in fiber (lots of fresh fruits and vegetables) will help heal stomach ulcers and reduce the likelihood of developing one in the future. The following foods are rich in dietary fiber:
- apples;
- lentils, peas and beans;
- Brussels sprouts, broccoli and other types of cabbage;
- berries;
- avocado;
- bran flakes;
- flax seeds;
- whole wheat pasta;
- barley and other whole grains;
- oats.
3 Eat lots of foods that contain flavonoids. Some studies have shown that foods with natural flavonoids can help ulcers heal faster. Natural flavonoids are found in many vegetables and fruits, further enhancing their benefits. The following foods are good sources of flavonoids:
- apples;
- celery;
- cranberry;
- blueberry;
- plums;
- spinach.
4 Try licorice root. Tea and licorice root supplements can help heal ulcers and prevent recurrence. However, sugary liquorice candies can make stomach problems worse. For the treatment of ulcers, only natural licorice root, which is found in dietary supplements and tea, is suitable.
5 Refrain from spicy foods (black pepper and other hot spices). Limit your intake of these foods or avoid them altogether.
- Although doctors currently believe that spicy food is not the cause of the ulcer, in some people it will exacerbate the symptoms.
6 Avoid citrus fruits if they cause pain. Sour citrus drinks, such as orange juice or grapefruit juice, can significantly worsen ulcer symptoms. For some people, they are harmless, while for others, they cause severe pain. Cut back on citrus fruits if they are negatively affecting your condition.
7 Reduce your consumption of coffee and sodas. Coffee is highly acidic and can therefore aggravate ulcer symptoms. Carbonated soft drinks (such as Coca-Cola) can also irritate the stomach lining and worsen the condition. If you have a stomach ulcer, try skipping your morning cup of coffee for a while.
- While caffeine itself does not make ulcers worse, acidic soft drinks, strong tea, and coffee do. For stomach ulcers, try switching to milder herbal teas. If you need caffeine, try adding a little guarana to your tea.

Part 3 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

1 Quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing stomach ulcers and makes it harder for them to heal. Smokers are twice as likely to develop ulcers as non-smokers, so quit smoking if you want to recover.
- This also applies to smokeless types of tobacco - they further increase the risk of stomach problems. Try to quit tobacco altogether if you have a stomach ulcer.
- Talk to your doctor about ways to get rid of your nicotine addiction, including prescription drugs. Pharmacies also have over-the-counter nicotine patches and dietary supplements.
2 Abstain from all types of alcoholic beverages until the ulcer is completely free. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and slows down its healing. If you have an ulcer or other stomach problems, avoid alcohol during treatment. Even one or two glasses of beer can make your condition worse.
- Alcohol can be consumed in moderation after you have finished your treatment, but you should consult your doctor first.
3 Sleep with your head slightly raised. In some, the ulcer worsens at night. Sleeping on your back on a flat surface can worsen ulcer-related pain.Try to raise your head and shoulders slightly above the mattress and sleep in an inclined position. It helps some stomach ulcer sufferers.
4 Eat smaller meals regularly. A heavy lunch in the middle of the day can make your condition worse. Instead, try to eat more often, but in smaller portions, at the same time throughout the day. Small amounts of food will be easier for your stomach to digest.
- Do not eat before bed. This can cause stomach pain and disrupt healthy sleep.
- In some people with stomach ulcers, symptoms worsen after eating, while in others, food reduces pain. Experiment with your diet and find out which works best for you.
5 Take medication with caution. Every time you visit your doctor, you should tell him that you have a stomach ulcer so that he will take your medical history into account when prescribing medications. Even if you recovered from your stomach ulcer many years ago, certain medications can irritate the stomach and make it worse. Be sure to check with your doctor before changing or taking new medications.
6 Be patient. It can take quite a long time for the ulcer to heal completely - most doctors recommend that you take your time and wait at least 2-3 months before considering yourself healthy. Even then, returning to the previous diet or lifestyle that led to the ulcer can cause a relapse, sometimes more severe. You need to take care of your health and give your stomach time to heal.
- In some people, stomach ulcers heal faster than others. Be that as it may, it is necessary to follow a diet and a healthy lifestyle after all symptoms have passed. Do not mark the cessation of pain with alcohol, or it may return.