Ulcers are sores or lesions that form in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. They develop when acids that break down food damage the stomach or intestinal walls. They have often been associated with a variety of causes, such as stress, diet and lifestyle, but studies now have found that many ulcers are caused by a type of bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. If left untreated, most ulcers tend to get worse, so it's important to get the right diagnosis and make appropriate diet and lifestyle changes to heal completely.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get Medical Treatment
Step 1. Identify the symptoms
Digestive system problems are often difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often common for many different types of conditions, including gastritis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and a variety of other ailments. It is important to see your doctor and get a correct diagnosis if you are concerned about having an ulcer so that you can receive proper treatment. The main symptoms are:
- Stomach or abdominal pain, persistent or recurring
- Abdominal discomfort or bloating
- Nausea and vomit
- Lack of appetite
- Presence of blood in vomit or stool
- Black or tarry stools, indicating bleeding in the upper part of the small intestine
- Weight loss, paleness, dizziness and weakness due to persistent blood loss
Step 2. See your doctor to eliminate other possibilities
If you have stomach problems, it may not necessarily be an ulcer. The doctor will ask you to describe the symptoms, when they arose, will want to know your diet and will give you a physical examination.
- If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may start treatment by giving you a medicine to reduce stomach acid before doing further tests.
- Come back for an examination if you notice blood in your stool, vomit, if your symptoms get worse, or if you don't see any improvement with the medication, so that further tests can be performed.
Step 3. Get a diagnosis
Your GP may recommend a visit to a gastroenterologist, who will in turn undergo the following tests, which are typically done to correctly diagnose any type of digestive ulcer:
- Two of the non-invasive tests that can be used to rule out other possible causes include ultrasound of the entire abdomen and an MRI. Although these tests do not show an ulcer, they are useful in discarding other hypotheses.
- X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal system. After drinking a chalky substance called barium, you will be taken x-rays to look for signs of stomach ulcers.
- Once the ulcer is detected, the doctor may recommend an endoscopy to pinpoint its exact location and extent. While you're under sedation, your doctor inserts a thin tube with a small camera down your throat to your stomach. The camera allows you to see inside the digestive tract and takes a sample of tissue, a procedure known as a biopsy. This is a simple and almost painless procedure.
- A breath test will be performed to check for antibodies to H. pylori, a bacterium commonly related to gastritis and ulcers. If the ulcer is indeed present, it will convert the urea used for the test into carbon dioxide, which will be detected in the breath.
- Stool examination. A sample is collected to confirm the presence of blood and also of the H. pylori bacterium.
- Blood tests to check for the development of antibodies to H. pylori. Blood tests can only show exposure to the H. pylori bacterium, so they aren't enough to confirm the diagnosis of an ulcer.
Step 4. Get a prescription from your doctor
To treat ulcers you need to address the particular causes and conditions of the specific ulcer that you have been diagnosed with. This is why it is important to know for sure what type of condition you are suffering from and to follow the treatment recommended by your doctor if tests confirm the presence of an ulcer. Most treatments require drug treatments, elimination of the cause for complete recovery and changes in diet.
- Often, an H. pylori infection is the culprit, in which case the doctor prescribes an antibiotic. In other situations, a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or an H2 receptor antagonist is prescribed, which blocks the production of acid in the stomach and allows healing.
- Sucralfate is often used to treat ulcers.
- In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary, especially if it is a very serious case or if complications arise from an ulcer that has been neglected for too long.
Step 5. Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin
Both of these medications can cause ulcers and aggravate symptoms. Avoid taking NSAIDs during the active phase of the ulcer or for too long after the ulcer has healed.
If you need to take pain relieving medications, ask your doctor which ones are best for your specific situation. In some cases, you could also take an NSAID along with an acid reducer or follow alternative treatments to reduce pain
Step 6. Take over-the-counter antacids to manage symptoms
Often, an ulcer causes a sensation similar to a combination of indigestion and heartburn, you experience nausea and burning under the ribs. Antacids may provide temporary relief from pain, but they do not cure ulcers, which means that they act on the effects but not on the cause. Some antacids can interfere with the effectiveness of prescribed medications, so it's important to talk to your doctor before taking them. Antacids available without a prescription include:
- Calcium carbonate, found in products like Tums® and Rolaids, is probably the most popular over-the-counter antacid.
- You can also take other products containing baking soda, such as Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol, to soothe the discomfort on the stomach walls, and they are widely available.
- Magnesium hydroxide is also quite common and recommended, it is marketed as milk of magnesia.
- Other antacids like Maalox, Mylanta or other brands contain a mix of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide and are just as effective.
- In pharmacies and parapharmacies you can also find other antacids, albeit less common, based on aluminum hydroxide.
Part 2 of 3: Making Changes in Nutrition
Step 1. Avoid all foods that aggravate symptoms
Ulcers vary from person to person, so it is difficult to say which foods are suitable for ulcers and which ones are not recommended. For some people, spicy food may not be a problem, while olives or sweets may cause severe pain. Try to eat a fairly light diet while recovering, and try to identify foods that make symptoms or pain worse.
- Often, sugar-rich foods, industrially processed foods, fried foods, salted meats, alcohol, and coffee aggravate the problem.
- Increase your fluid intake.
- Keep a food diary and write down everything you eat each day, so you can have a list of the foods that are bad for you if you start to feel pain.
- Use common sense about the foods you want to eliminate in the short term to heal in the long run. A little discipline now will help your stomach overcome the problem quickly and allow you to return to a less restricted diet and lifestyle.
Step 2. Eat more fiber
Some research has found that the average consumer consumes about 14 grams of fiber per day. Try to eat at least 28-35 grams if you want to properly care for your digestive system. A high-fiber diet, which includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, helps reduce the chances of ulcers and make it easier for those present to heal. You can get fiber from the following sources:
- Apples
- Lentils, peas and beans
- Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables
- Berries
- Avocado
- Bran flakes
- Flax seed
- Wholemeal pasta
- Barley and other whole grains
- oatmeal
Step 3. Eat lots of foods containing flavonoids
Some research has found that foods that naturally contain flavonoids can help heal ulcers more quickly. These antioxidants are found naturally in many fruits and vegetables and are good for you in two ways: they are generally healthy and allow you to heal ulcers. Good sources include:
- Apples
- Celery
- Redberry
- Blueberries
- Plums
- Spinach
Step 4. Try licorice root
Taking tea and supplements containing licorice root can help heal ulcers and prevent recurrence. It is important to distinguish the sweet licorice candies, which can aggravate stomach problems, from the natural root, found in supplements and herbal teas. Take only the latter if you want to find additional treatment for your ulcer.
Step 5. Avoid spicy foods if they bother you
If you find that your pains increase after eating foods that contain hot peppers or spicy seasonings, reduce or completely eliminate these dishes from your diet.
Although doctors believe that spicy foods are not responsible for ulcers, in reality some people who suffer from them say that the symptoms get worse after eating them
Step 6. Avoid citrus fruits if they cause you pain
Sour fruit drinks, such as orange, grapefruit, and other citrus juices, can greatly aggravate symptoms. For some people, it may not be a problem, but for others it can be extremely painful. Cut down on citrus fruits if you feel they are aggravating your ulcer.
Step 7. Limit your consumption of coffee and fizzy drinks
Coffee is very acidic and can aggravate symptoms. Fizzy drinks and colas can also irritate the stomach walls and make the situation worse. Try to reduce the amount of coffee you drink in the short term if you have an ulcer to help heal.
Caffeine itself does not make this ailment, but acidic sodas, some strong teas, and coffee can actually aggravate the problem. Try to replace these drinks with milder herbal teas. If you need some caffeine for an energy boost, try adding some guarana to your tea instead
Part 3 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Stop smoking
Smoking increases the chances of developing ulcers and makes the healing process more difficult for ulcers that are already present. Smokers are twice as likely to develop this condition than non-smokers, so quitting is essential if you want to allow your stomach to heal properly.
- Smokeless tobacco and other forms of tobacco use also cause the same effects and often increase the risk of stomach problems. Do your best to quit completely.
- Talk to your doctor about ways to cut down on smoking, including taking medications he can prescribe to make the detox process easier for you and to manage nicotine withdrawal. In pharmacies, you can also find nicotine patches and supplements that can help you.
Step 2. Avoid all alcoholic beverages until the ulcer has completely disappeared
Alcohol irritates the stomach walls and it takes some time for this organ to heal completely. If you are trying to recover from an ulcer, or any other type of stomach problem, you need to avoid alcohol. Even a beer or two can aggravate the ailment.
A little alcohol in moderation will not be a problem after all treatments are finished, but you should speak to your doctor before resuming drinking in any amount
Step 3. Sleep with your head raised slightly
For some people, ulcers can create more problems at night. Sleeping on your back and completely flat could make the ulcer more painful and the night is the worst time. Try lying down with your head and shoulders slightly off the mattress so that you are in a reclined position. Some people are able to sleep more soundly this way when the ulcer is particularly uncomfortable.
Step 4. Eat small meals at regular times
Eating a large meal in the middle of the day can make the problem worse. Instead, try to set regular times throughout the day to have several small meals, rather than having a few large ones. This helps your stomach process and break down small amounts of food more easily.
- Do not eat just before bedtime as you may experience pain during the night which will prevent you from sleeping more peacefully.
- Some people find that ulcer symptoms get worse after eating, while others say that eating can soothe the pain. Experiment with different methods in your diet to see which one is most effective for you.
Step 5. Pay attention to the medications you take
Every time you go to the doctor, from now on, you will need to inform him about the ulcers you have had and you will need to share your previous stomach problems in case he prescribes any medications. Even if you've been through the acute phase for many years, some medications can irritate your stomach and make the problem worse. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications or any new medications.
Step 6. Give yourself some time
It takes some time for the stomach to fully heal, and most doctors recommend having a fairly rigorous approach to healing; you must wait at least 2-3 months before you consider yourself completely "healed" and even then, if you go back to a diet or lifestyle that initially triggered the ulcer, know that you could cause a recurrence, perhaps even more serious. It's important to work hard to stay healthy and give your stomach plenty of time to heal.
