10 advices on how to calm down peptic ulcer pain
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Every time we eat our stomach produces a certain quantity of acid for digesting the food.
This acid is powerful enough to harm the inner layer of the stomach, but thanks to the mucus that surrounds the stomach and duodenum this thing does not normally happen.
Peptic ulcers also occur when a bacteria called helicobacter pylori starts to develop inside the stomach and allows the acid to harm the inner layer of the stomach or duodenum.
1. Take an antacid.
During ulcerous crises, taking an antacid can ease pain fast and efficiently. It is best to ask your doctor fist what type of antacid would suit your case best as some of these drugs can cause constipation (if they have in composition aluminum) and others might cause diarrhea (if they contain magnesium).
2. Reduce the acid production.
Ask your doctor if you could use H2 blockers. These are drugs that help your stomach reduce the production of acid. This helps existent stomach wounds heal faster and diminish pain. Here are some of the most efficient H2 blockers: ranitidine, cimetidine and famotidine.
3. Give up orange juice for a while
Some foods are best to be avoided if you want to keep ulcer pains away. Besides the orange juice, the tomato, coffee, and spicy cuisine are also known to increase the acid production in the stomach and duodenum, leading to pain.
4. Do not rely on milk!
Until a few years ago a lot of people thought that milk was of great help in stopping ulcerous pains. Even doctors thought that milk was good for bandaging the wounded areas in of the inner layer of the duodenum. Well, things are quite opposite as we thought: it seems that calcium and proteins contained by milk are acid production stimulators.
5. Drink plenty of water
During the ulcerous crises you can drink a glass of water as it helps diluting the acid from the stomach. Try to drink 1.5 l of water daily and a glass of water every time you are in pain.
6. Give up smoking
Besides the fact that smokers have an increased risk of developing peptic ulcers, smoking also interferes with the process of ulcer’s lesions healing and increases the chances of infections.
7. Alcohol is good as long as it is consumed in small quantities.
Local stomach inflammations and bleedings can be caused by an increased alcohol intake. Not to mention other serious organ affections that alcohol can produce. You can consume 1 glass of alcohol if you go to a special event, but try not to develop a habit from this.
8. Test yourself for Helicobacter Pylori.
If you suspect you have ulcer then it is indicated you go to the doctor and get tested for Helicobacter Pylori. This bacterium is the main cause of ulcer and can be treated. In 97% of the cases of Helicobacter Pylori ulcers after treatment was done the reoccurrence of the affection did not happen. So, follow strictly the treatment your doctor prescribed and you will see your ulcer will fade in time.
9. Do not take aspirin and ibuprofen.
They are analgesic drugs but if used on a long period of time they can cause peptic ulcer. It seems that more then 20% of the people who use regularly these drugs get to develop ulcer, so try to limit their intake as much as you can.
10. Get rid of stress
Stress is another factor that aggravates peptic ulcer and pains. We know that stress is now part of our daily life, but constantly having to deal with pressure and stressful situations can lead to a failure of our body. Try relaxation methods after work, or practice a sport so that you can release the tension your body accumulated during the day.
Peptic ulcer is becoming a real problem nowadays as stress, junk food and bacteria seem to surround us everywhere. Handled with care and medical advice peptic ulcer can be defeated and life can regain its normal course once again.
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Comments
I found it helpful to a point. Other things I have read say that you do not always need to see a doctor for this. I just have this dull kinda burning upper stomach pain right now that has lasted two days. I have taken Tagamet(4) and keep drinking water but it hasn’t really eased up at all.
Jennifer,
I think you should go see a doctor as you might have a gastric or a duodenum ulcer, not peptic ulcer. The stomach discomfort you have written about can also be found in these two affections. You should go to your doctor and see what he has to say about your stomach. Don’t be afraid, even if you do have gastric ulcer, as you will get healthy after following a proper treatment.
Good to see quite a variety of suggestions given, but think that get rid of stress should probably have been put at number 1. There is a product that is starting to be promoted more and more of helping with peptic ulcers and combating Helicobacter Pylori - which is manuka honey. However the reason for mentioning it here is that it is often not stated that it is only some manuka honey which is suitable, being labelled with the UMF® mark. There is plenty of standard manuka honey around with little antibacterial properties. Those interested can see some information here:
http://www.newzealandhoneyshop.co.uk/manuka-honey-information.html
However another important factor is the way in which we eat. Better eating habits, mainly eat slower, chew properly, and enjoy your food, and thinking about what you are doing - eating - and not concentrating on the tv or whatever else, will help give your stomach a chance to do its job properly.
nice article, its very help full I think.