Ulcers are sores or lesions in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. Ulcers develop when acids that digest food damage the stomach membrane or intestinal wall. Because it is related to various causes such as stress, diet, and lifestyle, scientists now know that many ulcers are caused by a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. Pylori. If left untreated, most ulcers will develop to be more serious. So you need to get the right diagnosis and make changes to your diet and lifestyle in order to make a full recovery.
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Part 1 of 3: Getting Medical Treatment
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of an ulcer
Stomach problems are usually difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of one problem are similar to those of many others, including gastritis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and many other conditions. It is very important to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis if you suspect you have an ulcer in order to receive proper treatment. Symptoms of ulcers include:
- Persistent or recurring stomach pain
- Bloating or uncomfortable sensation in the stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lost appetite
- Blood stains in vomit
- Dark or black stools that indicate bleeding in the upper part of the small intestine.
- Weight loss, pale face, dizzy head, and weak body due to blood loss
Step 2. Consult a doctor to rule out other possibilities
If you have stomach problems, it's not necessarily an ulcer. Based on the history of symptoms, diet, and physical examination, the doctor can rule out the possibility or may perform further tests to confirm.
- Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce pain and acidity if your symptoms are mild.
- Tell your doctor if you have blood in your vomit, if your stools continue to be black, or if your symptoms get worse. There may be another serious condition causing it and it needs to be treated. In that case, you will be asked to undergo tests to determine the cause of the bleeding.
Step 3. Get a diagnosis
Your general practitioner may advise you to see a gastroenterologist (a specialist in digestive diseases). Then, you will undergo tests that can be used to diagnose any type of digestive ulcer.
- Two noninvasive tests that can be used to rule out other causes are full abdominal ultrasound and MRI. Both of these tests do not show ulcers, but they help doctors rule out other problems.
- A noninvasive upper gastrointestinal X-ray can help the doctor see the ulcer. After taking a lime called barium, you will have an X-ray to look for signs of ulcers in the stomach.
- Once an ulcer is detected, the doctor may recommend an endoscopy to determine the exact location and size of the ulcer. You will be lightly sedated, and your doctor will insert a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end down your throat and into your stomach. This camera allows doctors to see inside the digestive tract and take tissue samples, known as a biopsy. This is a simple and almost painless procedure.
- A breath test will be done to see if your body currently has an active ulcer caused by the H.pylori bacteria. If there is an ulcer, it will convert the urea used in the test into carbon dioxide, which you exhale.
- A stool culture test was performed to confirm bleeding as well as the presence of H.pylori bacteria.
- A blood test will be done to check for growth or antibodies to H. Pylori. Blood tests can only show exposure to H. pylori so will not confirm that an ulcer is present.
Step 4. Address the root of the problem
Ulcers must be healed by treating the condition causing the ulcer itself. Therefore, proper diagnosis is very important, and you need to follow the treatment suggested by the doctor. Most treatments include medication, eliminating the cause of the ulcer, and dietary changes.
- Often, the cause is an H. pylori infection, and in that case your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat it. Since treatment of H. pylori requires combination therapy, you will also be prescribed a proton-pump inhibitor such as omeprazole e (Prilosec) or an H2 agonist (Pepcid), which block acid production in the stomach and allow the stomach to heal.
- Sucralfate is also often used to treat ulcers.
- Extreme cases may require surgery, especially if complications arise from an ulcer that has gone untreated for too long.
Step 5. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin
NSAIDs and aspirin can actually cause ulcers and make symptoms worse. Avoid NSAIDs when there is an active ulcer and for a long time thereafter.
If you need medication to relieve pain, ask your doctor for other options. In some cases, you may be able to take an NSAID with an acid reducer, or try alternative treatments to reduce pain
Step 6. Try over-the-counter antacids to reduce symptoms
Usually, you will feel abdominal pain and heartburn, with a burning sensation and nausea in the upper abdomen, below the ribs. Antacids can temporarily relieve symptoms, but do not heal the ulcer. Be careful when using antacids because they can block the work of the core medication. Here's a selection of over-the-counter antacids:
- Calcium carbonate, which is found in products like Tums and Rolaids, is probably the most common over-the-counter antacid.
- Sodium bicarbonate products such as Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) can also be used to soothe the stomach lining, and are widely available.
- Magnesium hydroxide is also commonly recommended, sold under the brand name Phillips' Milk of Magnesia.
- Mixtures of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are sold under the brand names Maalox, Mylanta, and other brands.
- Another less common antacid is aluminum hydroxide, sold under the brand names AlternaGEL and Amphojel, among others.
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Avoid foods that aggravate symptoms
Ulcer cases vary from person to person so it is difficult to determine what foods are good for ulcer sufferers and what are not. For some, spicy food doesn't cause a problem, but olives or bread do make them sick. Try relatively bland foods during ulcer recovery, and identify foods that make symptoms worse.
- Usually, foods high in sugar, processed foods, salty meats, alcohol, and coffee will make ulcers worse.
- Increase fluid intake.
- Try keeping a food journal and writing down everything you eat in one day. So, you can find out what foods can cause pain.
- It is wise to reduce certain foods in the short term so that you are healthy in the long term. A little discipline now will allow you to recover faster and return to a less restrictive diet and lifestyle.
Step 2. Increase fiber intake
There are estimates that the average human gets about 14 grams of fiber daily. Try to increase your fiber intake to 28-35 grams a day to restore the digestive tract. A high-fiber diet consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables helps reduce the chance of ulcers forming and helps heal existing ulcers. Try to get your fiber intake from the following food sources:
- Apple
- Lentils, beans and beans
- Brussels sprouts, broccoli and other cabbage families
- Berries
- Avocado
- Bran flakes
- Linseed
- Whole wheat pasta
- Barley and wheat
- Oatmeal
Step 3. Eat lots of foods that contain flavonoids
Some research shows that foods containing natural flavonoids can heal ulcers more quickly. Flavonoids occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables so they are great for consumption. Sources of flavonoids are:
- Apple
- Celery
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Plums
- Spinach
Step 4. Try liquorice
Teas and supplements containing liquorice can heal ulcers and prevent their re-growth. Distinguish between licorice gum, which actually causes an upset stomach, and the natural licorice used in supplements and teas. Use natural liquorice as an additional treatment.
Step 5. Avoid spicy foods like chili and pepper
Eat less, or don't eat it at all.
Although doctors now believe that spicy foods do not cause ulcers, some people who have had ulcers report that their symptoms worsen after eating spicy foods
Step 6. Avoid oranges if they cause problems
Acidic fruit drinks, such as orange juice and other citrus fruits, can make ulcer symptoms worse. For some it may not be a problem, but it is very painful for others. Limit your intake of oranges if the ulcer seems to be getting worse.
Step 7. Stop consuming coffee and carbonated drinks
Coffee is very high in acid, which can make ulcer symptoms worse. Carbonated soft drinks and colas can also irritate the lining of the stomach and make symptoms worse. Try not drinking coffee in the short term if you have ulcers.
On its own, caffeine doesn't make ulcers worse, but acidic soft drinks, strong teas, and coffee can make ulcers worse. Try replacing it with a mild herbal tea. If you need the caffeine effect, try adding guarana to your tea
Part 3 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Quit smoking
Smoking can increase the chances of developing ulcers because it makes it difficult to heal an existing ulcer. Smokers are twice as likely to develop ulcers as nonsmokers, so it's important to quit smoking if you want ulcers to heal completely.
- Smokeless tobacco and other forms of tobacco also carry the same risk of stomach problems, if not worse. Try your best to stop using tobacco if you have an ulcer.
- Talk to your doctor about methods to reduce smoking, including using prescription medications to help you reduce your nicotine addiction. There are nicotine patches and supplements that can also help.
Step 2. Avoid all types of alcoholic beverages until the ulcer heals completely
Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and delays healing. If you're healing an ulcer or other stomach problem, it's important to avoid alcohol during your recovery. Just one or two beers can make ulcers worse.
Alcohol in moderation may be safe after treatment is complete, but talk to your doctor before you want to drink alcohol again
Step 3. Sleep with your head slightly elevated
For some people, the ulcer gets worse at night. Sleeping on your back can cause ulcers to hurt more and make sleeping uncomfortable. Try lying down with your head and shoulders elevated so that your body is tilted. Some people can sleep better in this position if they are suffering from ulcers.
Step 4. Eat smaller portions regularly
Eating large meals in the middle of the day can make ulcers worse. Instead, try to eat smaller portions more often, rather than large portions that are only two or three times. It will be easier for the stomach to digest small amounts of food.
- Avoid eating too close to bedtime, which can cause stomach pains at night so you can't sleep well.
- Some people feel ulcer symptoms get worse after eating, while others feel that eating can reduce ulcer pain. Try experimenting with your diet to see what works best.
Step 5. Be careful with the drugs you take
Each time you see your doctor, you should tell your doctor that you have had ulcers and want them to take this history of stomach problems into account when prescribing medication. Even if you haven't had an ulcer in years, certain medications can still irritate your stomach. Always consult a doctor before changing medications or taking new medications.
Step 6. Be patient
The stomach takes time to fully heal, and most doctors recommend a fairly strict approach to recovery, and allow at least 2–3 months before deeming yourself “healed.” After that too, returning to the diet and lifestyle that previously caused the ulcer can form a new ulcer, perhaps with a more severe intensity. So it's very important to take care of your health and give yourself plenty of time to fully heal.
