Digestive ulcers are lesions that form in the stomach, esophagus, or upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. The most common symptom is pain, which can be moderate or severe, acute or chronic; it can therefore be a pathology that arouses concern or even a simple momentary discomfort. If you suffer from ulcers, you can follow some methods to relieve the pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
They can vary from person to person; If you are concerned that you have an ulcer but it has not been officially diagnosed, see your family doctor. The main symptoms are:
- Pain just below the rib cage in the center of the chest, which can get worse when you eat or go away with some foods
- Nausea, vomiting and bloating.
Step 2. Treat the ulcer with prescription drugs
Once diagnosed, your doctor can recommend medicines to treat it; Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are recommended for most gastric ulcers. They are very strong antacid drugs, which work by blocking the secretion of stomach acids, thus relieving pain. If the cause of your ulcer is an H. pylori infection, antibiotics are usually used.
Step 3. Take non-irritating pain relievers
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, also known as NSAIDs, damage the stomach walls and can lead to ulcer formation. Paracetamol, like Tachipirina, is not associated with this disorder; if needed, you can take this drug to manage pain.
Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Brufen), aspirin (produced by Bayer), naproxen (Momendol), ketorolac (Toradol) and oxaprozin (Walix); other drugs, such as Alka Seltzer and sleeping pills, may contain NSAIDs
Step 4. Take an antacid
Those on sale can relieve pain and work by neutralizing the acids present in the stomach; they are available in liquid or tablet form.
Step 5. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any "red flags"
If pain is associated with what are called "alarm bells" or "red flags", you should always call the doctor; these are signs or symptoms that do not always indicate a medical emergency, but for which you should act promptly by contacting your doctor or going to the emergency room, if this is not immediately reachable. These are all signs that can indicate a bleeding ulcer, infection, or perforation of the ulcer walls. Here are the main ones:
- Fever;
- Severe pain
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea that lasts at least two to three days
- Constant constipation, lasting more than two to three days
- Blood in the stool, which may be red, or stool that looks black and tarry
- Blood in vomit or coffee bean-like material
- Severe pain to touch in the abdomen area;
- Jaundice (yellowish skin and sclera);
- Visible swelling or swelling of the abdomen.
Method 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Identify the triggers of the pain
First, you should evaluate if there are any direct causes of the malaise; they could be foods or drinks that aggravate stomach pain. When you learn to recognize them, you can avoid them.
To help you do this, you can keep track of the foods and drinks you consume that could trigger the discomfort; start with the most common triggers, such as spicy foods, highly acidic foods, alcohol, caffeine, or those with a high fat content. Write down any food or drink you are sensitive to. It is a simple procedure that involves taking note of what you eat and the sensations you feel one hour after the meal; if what you ate has bothered you, you should eliminate it from your diet
Step 2. Change power supply
Eating lots of healthy products, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can reduce stomach pain and irritation. Most fruits, vegetables (with the exception of citrus fruits and the tomato family) and whole grains are not irritating to the digestive system; Furthermore, by eating foods rich in vitamins, you can support the healing process in order to get rid of the ulcer.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol.
- By getting more fiber through fruits and vegetables, you can prevent new ulcers from forming and heal existing ones.
- Eventually, you are able to identify the foods that damage the organ; eliminate them from the diet to reduce pain quickly.
Step 3. Limit the amount of food you eat at each meal
This is a way to relieve ulcer pain by putting less stress on the stomach; as a result, you reduce the amount of acid produced and therefore also the discomfort.
Step 4. Give up eating before bed
You shouldn't have meals in the last two to three hours before bedtime; this lowers the risk of acid reflux in the esophagus when trying to fall asleep.
Step 5. Wear comfortable clothing
This is another way to relieve ulcer discomfort. Loose clothes do not exert pressure in the abdominal area and stomach, avoiding aggravating the one already present, which can create irritation.
Step 6. Stop smoking
In this way, you can reduce the pain of the ulcer; smoking causes adverse effects, including stomach acid and increased pain. By getting rid of this habit, you get rid of the unnecessarily produced acid and therefore the pain in the stomach.
Method 3 of 3: Unverified Herbal Treatments
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about herbal remedies
There are several medicinal plants that help manage ulcer discomfort. However, you should consult your doctor before using such solutions; in general, they are very safe treatments, but it is always best to make sure.
- A natural therapeutic approach combined with lifestyle changes, such as those described, can significantly improve your well-being.
- If you are pregnant, you need to speak to your doctor before using the herbs listed below.
Step 2. Drink aloe vera juice
It is able to soothe inflammation and neutralize stomach acid, thereby also reducing pain; if you are in pain, you can drink 120ml of organic juice while sipping it throughout the day.
Since aloe vera also has laxative properties, limit its consumption to a maximum of 250-500ml per day
Step 3. Get apple cider vinegar
This remedy stimulates the body's acid "sensors" causing it to stop producing it. Dilute one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar in 180ml of water and drink the mixture.
The vinegar does not necessarily have to be organic, but it must be from apples; the other types are in fact not as effective as this one
Step 4. Make lemonade
You can make your own using lemons, limes, or both citrus fruits. Pour a few teaspoons of pure juice in a quantity of water according to your taste; if you wish, you can also add some honey. This mixture should be drunk before, during and after meals.
The extra amount of acid provided by lemon and lime "warns" the body to produce less acid through the process called "retroactive inhibition"
Step 5. Eat an apple
It can help when you experience ulcer pain, because the pectin in the skin acts as a natural antacid.
Step 6. Make an herbal tea
It can help you soothe the discomfort and pain. The most suitable for your case are based on ginger, fennel and chamomile.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a soothing agent for the stomach, as well as reducing the sensation of nausea and vomiting; you can buy it in tea bag format or even use fresh root. In this second case, cut a piece of about 2-3 cm, add it to boiling water and let it steep for about five minutes; finally, pour it into the cup and drink. You can sip the liquid several times throughout the day, even better 20 to 30 minutes before meals.
- Fennel helps stabilize the stomach and reduce acidity levels. To prepare an infusion, chop a small amount of fennel seeds and pour them into 250 ml of boiling water; if you want to improve the flavor, you can add honey. Drink two to three cups a day about 20 minutes before meals.
- Chamomile soothes the stomach and reduces pain by acting as a natural anti-inflammatory; you can buy the sachets in natural products stores and / or supermarkets.
- Ginger tea is considered safe for pregnant women.
Step 7. Try mustard
You can find it in powder form or buy the high-quality sauce in stores. To prepare an infusion, dissolve the powdered one in boiling water; if you feel like it, you can eat a teaspoon of sauce instead.
Mustard also has anti-inflammatory properties and can neutralize acids
Step 8. Take licorice root
The deglycyrrine (DGL) is very effective for treating the stomach, as well as controlling the hyperacidity and pain due to the ulcer; It comes in chewable tablets, but it may take some time to get used to its taste.
Follow the instructions on the package; the dosage is usually two or three tablets every four or six hours
Step 9. Try the red elm
The substances present in this plant create a gastric lining and soothe irritated tissues. You can take it in liquid form (90-120ml) or in tablets. Remember to respect the instructions described on the leaflet regarding the tablets.
