Diet for peptic ulcer patient

Is consuming apple, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes, milk, mayonnaise dangerous or beneficial as part of a diet for peptic ulcer patient.
(October 25, 2010)

Food For Peptic Ulcer

Stomach ulcers are a relatively common occurrence while also being some of the most uncomfortable experiences that a person will ever have to go through. Ulcers will usually tend to develop within the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, cause a substantial amount of pain every time the stomach is required to perform some kind of digestive activity. The ulcers are usually some crater like sores that can grow up to ¼ inch or even ¾ inch in diameter. Some of the bigger stomach ulcers may even grow up to as much as a1 or 2 inches.  Ulcers that develop within the stomach are also commonly referred to as being peptic ulcers. Essentially, the development of a peptic ulcer is down to an imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors that exist within the stomach.

However, it is important to understand that the initial damage is influenced by some external factors that cause the stomach lining to become rather sensitive even to normal levels of gastric acid. A lot of people are of the opinion that an ulcer is just a phase that will pass – causing them to ignore the substantial pain and discomfort that the condition causes. However, ignoring the problem can lead to some very serious consequences as the condition could easily progress to a bleeding ulcer – where the ulcer has caused damage to the  blood vessels allowing the blood to seep into the digestive tract; the condition could also easily spiral out of control into a perforated ulcer – where the ulcer has been allowed to eat a hole into the wall or lining of the stomach  - which may result in some amount of digestive food actually spilling over into the hole – thereby causing substantial inflammation.

Because of the fact that peptic ulcers are very commonly confused with normal stomach discomfort, it is important to understand and be able to identify the symptoms so that treatment and proper care can stand as early as possible. One of the most prominent symptoms during the development of ulcers is the gnawing or burning pain that develops in the abdomen – just between the breastbone and navel. The patient is also likely to experience a significant amount of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea in addition to s substantial loss of weight.

Because of the fact that the condition is such a common one, there are a number of peptic ulcer diets that will prove to be rather beneficial when it comes to dealing with the condition. When it comes to a proper peptic ulcer diet, it is as important to understand the different foods that you should avoid. Some of the more important foods to avoid include anything that contains high levels of caffeine as well as carbonated drinks. Any products that contain nicotine – such as cigarettes and cigars, should be avoided at all costs. Most ulcer conditions that affect the abdominal and stomach area of the body such as a hiatal hernia diet as well as a pancreatitis diet will all be based very much around the same bases.

Peptic Ulcer Diet

All foods have different effects on different people. Cabbage and apples and other foods you listed when consumed in limited amounts may cause absolutely no problem in some, however in others it may cause severe flare up of the symptoms. Acidic diet that is including tomatoes, tomato puree, acidic foods, foods containing natural or artificial citric acid can stimulate excessive production of gastric juices and acid which would tend to irritate the mucus membrane and thereby aggravate ulcer symptoms. You can avoid raw cabbage, cucumber and apple because it may tend to erode the stomach lining, however when a stewed apple or cabbage soup is consumed then it shall have no harm on the ulcer. Raw cabbage juice is in fact used as an excellent home remedy which helps in faster recovery of ulcers. Mayonnaise would be very high fat, which would also tend to increase the production of acidic contents and thus would be advisable to avoid it till the symptoms subside. Milk and other antacids containing calcium carbonate would provide symptomatic relief to the patients with ulcer; however when consumed in large quantities then it can again stimulate the acid production and may cause flare up of the symptoms. Try and limit the dairy products serving to less than three in a day. To keep a tract of the foods that are the triggering factors for you, maintain a food diary and note down all the foods which you consume. Simply avoid the ones which are not suitable for your ulcer.