How To Treat Stomach Ulcers

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Stomach ulcers are a common health problem that is believed to be caused by a number of factors, but especially stress and bacteria. Untreated stomach ulcers can eventually bleed and cause serious health problems. Fortunately, there are quite a few medical and natural treatments for ulcers that are effective at controlling symptoms and promoting healing.

H2 Blockers

H2 blockers take 30-90 minutes to begin working and improve symptoms for up to 24 hours. They work by reducing the amount of stomach acid produced by the stomach to give the lining a chance to heal. This class of medications can be found in low-dose formulations available over-the-counter, but high-dose versions are prescribed by doctors. Two of the most common H2 blockers are cimetidine and ranitidine.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

These drugs shut down stomach acid production completely by turning off the proton pump in the stomach. Proton pump inhibitors are usually used as a long-term treatment to give the stomach a chance to heal while the ulcer-causing bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Examples of proton pump inhibitors are omeprazole and lansoprozole.

Stomach Acid Neutralizers

Tums and baking soda are also used by ulcer patients to treat symptoms of flare-ups. They work well on an as-needed basis. However, because their effects last only a few short hours, long-term usage is inconvenient and expensive.

How To Treat Stomach Ulcers Naturally

Doctors used to think that ulcers were worsened by spicy foods. Recent studies have found that capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, actually reduces stomach ulcer symptoms and encourages ulcers to heal naturally.

Raw cabbage juice is a popular treatment for ulcers that increases blood flow to the lining of the stomach. It is effective against H. pylori, the bacteria that cause ulcers. Cabbage also reduces inflammation and speeds healing.

When one is dealing with a stomach ulcer, care should be taken to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, preferably fresh. The enzymes they contain in their fresh form fight inflammation and help to break down food. Whether cooked or fresh, they contain lots of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to repair the stomach when it's damaged.

Milk was believed to be an effective ulcer treatment for a long time but we now know that the large amount of calcium in milk actually worsens ulcers by causing the stomach to produce more acid. Because of this, ulcer patients should avoid milk and other dairy products such as ice cream and cheese.

Some cases of stomach ulcer may not respond to natural or drug treatments and require the help of a doctor. When damage is extensive, doctors may decide to perform surgery to repair the lining of the stomach. However, when an ulcer is caught earlier and natural or drug treatment is combined with a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals, the body can usually heal itself.