Diet for Peptic Ulcer

Persons who treat themselves with antacids may do themselves more harm than good. Though they may get initial relief . Because the tablet neutralizes the acid, the stomach responds by producing even more acid because the basic cause of the hyperacidity has not been dealt with. Ulcers can be best treated by natural methods.

Milk, cream, butter, fruits and fresh, raw and boiled vegetables, natural foods and natural vitamin supplement are the best diet for an ulcer patient.

Diet for Peptic Ulcer:

Diet is utmost importance in the treatment of ulcer. The diet should be so arranged as to provide adequate nutrition to afford rest to the disturbed organs, to main¬tain continuous neutralisation of the gastric acid, to in¬hibit the production of acid and to reduce mechanical and chemical irritation.

Almond milk made from balanced almonds in a blender is "Very beneficial as it binds the excess of acids in the stomach and supplies high quality protein. Raw goat's mil k is also highly beneficial. It actually helps to heal the peptic ulcer.

Raw fruits and vegetables should be avoided for a few weeks, as many of these are especially irritating. Potatoes, squashes, yams and raw bananas are, however, well tolerated. All sour fruits should be avoided, especially citrus fruits.

Certain foods definitely do not agree in cases of gastric complaints and should be completely eliminated. These include fried and greasy foods which are always difficult to digest and require very efficient stomach and liver action; flesh foods which require a high amount of acid in the stomach for their digestion and acid causes more pain and flatulence in the sensitive stomach; condiments, preserves and sugar which are stomach irritants; and tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol which create an acid reaction in the stomach. The healing capacity and vitality of the body will increase if these harmful and suitable foods are avoided.

How rapidly the ulcer heals wil1largely depend on the correct assortment of essential amino acids and sufficient ascorbic acid. Iron absorption depends on an acid medium and is facilitated by the presence of ascorbic acid. The neutralisation of stomach acid, therefore, interferes with iron absorption. Several studies have shown at vitamin E and A, especially taken together, have not only a protective effect against development of ulcers used by stress, but also a curative effect on existing ulcers.

The observance of certain rules by an ulcer patient with regard to eating habits is essential. He should never eat when tired or emotionally upset, nor when he is not hungry even if it is meal time, nor when his mouth is dry. He should chew every morsel thoroughly. He should eat only natural foods and "take food in as dry form as possible. Meals must be small and frequent, All foods and junks which are either too hot or too cold should be avoided

The patient should drink -eight to ten glasses of water every day. However, he should not drink water during or with meals, but only half an hour before or one hour after he has eaten. In case of haemorrhage in the stomach, a rectal enema should be administered four times daily with water temperature at 110° to 115°F. In case of abdominal or stomach pain. Hot packs should be placed on the abdomen with water temperature at 120°F. Hot pack should also be placed between the shoulder blades.

Daily massage and deep breathing exercises also help.
Above all, the patient must try to rid himself of his worries and stay cheerful. He should also cultivate regularity in his habits - be it work, exercise or rest.

TREATMENT CHART FOR PEPTIC ULCER

A - DIET

I. Milk and banana diet for three to five days.

II. Thereafter, the following diet may be adopted:-

1. Upon arising: 25 black raisins soaked overnight in water along with the water in which they are soaked and also water kept overnight in copper vessel.

2. Breakfast: Fruits such as bananas, mangoes, musk melon, custard apple, papaya and figs and a glass of milk. Avoid sour fruits .

3. Mid-morning: Carrot juice or coconut water.

4. Lunch: Steamed vegetables, whole wheat chappatis or rice.

5. Mid-afternoon: Few dates and milk.

6. Dinner: Lightly cooked vegetables, whole wheat Chappatis and fruits.

NOTE: Introduce gradually raw vegetables and sprouted green gram .

7. Before retiring: A glass of milk.

AVOID: Tobacco, alcohol, flesh foods, coffee, tea, condiments, all chillies, white sugar, white flour and their products, fried and greasy foods.

IMPORTANT: Take low salt diet, small and frequent meals, avoid too hot or too cold foods and drink eight glasses of water everyday.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. We packs for one hour in the morning and evening on an empty stomach, hot packs in case of abdominal pain.
2. Yogasanas like uttanpadasan, pavanmuktasan, bhujan¬gasan and shavasan.
3. Avoid stress, nervous strain, and worries.
4. Adequate rest and relaxation.

Peptic Ulcers

A peptic ulcer, often referred to as a stomach ulcer, is basically a small hole or erosion in the gastrointestinal tract. Peptic ulcers are quite a common condition, which affect people world over. The size of a peptic ulcer could range anywhere between one-eighth of an inch to about three-quarters of an inch. Peptic ulcers can either be gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers. The most common form of peptic ulcers is duodenal ulcers. Duodenal ulcers generally occur beyond the stomach in the first twelve inches of the small intestine. When peptic ulcers occur in the stomach, they are usually gastric ulcers. Such ulcers can turn malignant, if left untreated. Duodenal ulcers, on the other hand, are most often benign. Ulcers are not contagious or cancerous, in any way.

Peptic ulcers frequently occur due to excessive intake of spicy food, alcohol, coffee, or overheating. Smoking is also known to cause peptic ulcers. These ulcers may also be a result of food poisoning or the presence of bacteria known as helicobacter pylori. A person suffering from peptic ulcers experiences severe pain and possibly discomfort in the abdomen area. In some exceptionally severe cases, blood is also found in stools.

There are several home remedies that can be utilized to effectively treat peptic ulcers. Bananas are known to be very effective in treating peptic ulcers, as they neutralize the level of acidity of the gastric juices in the stomach. Bananas can be consumed in the form of milk shakes or eaten. Consumption of goat’s milk is another very effective option. Another remedy involves consuming a mixture of carrot juice and cabbage juice, in equal amounts. Other vegetable juices that are also helpful are cucumber, spinach or beet juice. Some people feel that soaking some wood apple leaves in water, overnight, and consuming the liquid after straining it, is also an effective remedy for peptic ulcers.

Another helpful remedial treatment requires you to consume lime juice, daily. You could also try consuming tea prepared with fenugreek seeds, as these seeds are considered to be effective treatment for peptic ulcers. Another useful treatment tip involves preparing a paste of drumstick leaves and consuming this paste with yogurt, regularly. You could also try consuming milk with blanched almonds, everyday. This mixture is extremely helpful as it provides adequate protein to the body and binds the increased levels of acidity in the stomach. In addition, drinking cold milk without sugar serves to cut the excess acidity in the stomach and provides relief from the burning sensation. It would also be beneficial to take alternate hot and cold bath for at least 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you could apply a hot pack on your abdomen. It would be advisable to avoid consuming any spicy. Make sure you properly chew your food and consume food at regular intervals.

There are certain yoga exercises that are considered highly beneficial for the treatment of peptic ulcers and acidity. These include asanas like Uttanpadasana (Raised foot pose), Bhujangasana (the Cobra pose), Vajrasana (the thunderbolt posture), Paschimottanasana (the Back Sttretching Posture), and Pavannamuktasana (wind removing pose). It is necessary to have a yoga trainer to help you with the poses to avoid any mishaps.

Peptic ulcers are sores that are caused in the stomachs lining or duodenum, which is the first portion of our small intestine. A peptic ulcer disease present in the stomach goes by the name of gastric ulcer, and when it is present in the duodenum, it is called duodenum ulcer. Peptic ulcers can also be formed in the esophagus, which is above the stomach and makes the connection between the mouth and stomach. However, most often peptic ulcers occur in the duodenum or the stomach. It is possible for you to suffer from duodenum ulcers and gastric ulcers simultaneously, and you can also get more than one ulcer in your lifetime. Peptic ulcer treatment can be performed successfully, but you should make sure to see a doctor once you see the signs of the disease.

Peptic ulcer causes. The stomach lining is normally protected from the destructive effects of acid in the stomach. When the protective agents fail to do their job, an ulcer is formed. Helicobacter pylori, which is the name of a type of bacteria, is considered to be responsible for most of the ulcers. This bacterium tends to weaken the duodenum and the protective layer of the stomach, which allows the destructive digestive fluids to slowly dissolve the stomach lining. Twenty percent of all Americans over the age of 40 have helicobacter pylori present in the digestive tract. However, most of them do not get ulcers.

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a long time is another cause for peptic ulcers. Using these drugs cause prostaglandins to be blocked. Prostaglandins are substances in the stomach that enable the control of the flow of blood and protect the region from any kind of damage or injury. Some individuals are more vulnerable to the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs than others. Some of these kinds of drugs include ketoprofen, naproxen, and ibuprofen.  The chances of developing a peptic ulcer differ with each drug. If it is necessary for you to use pain medications over a long-term, make sure to consult your doctor regarding which ones are safe to use. Other peptic ulcer causes are conditions that cause direct damage to the stomach wall or duodenum. These include physical injury, burns, radiation therapy, and heavy drinking.
Peptic ulcer symptom: One of the most common peptic ulcer symptoms is a burning or dull pain in the stomach. The pain can be felt anywhere in the region between your breastbone and your belly. This pain can start during the night or between your meals. It can also stop briefly when you take antacids or have a meal. Peptic ulcer pain can last for a few minutes to many hours and may come and go for many days or weeks. Other peptic ulcer disease symptoms include a sick feeling in your stomach, vomiting, burping, bloating, poor appetite, and weight loss. Even if you experience symptoms that are mild, it is possible that you have peptic ulcers, and you should immediately see a doctor as the condition could worsen if not treated soon.

Some of the signs that will help you identify peptic ulcers are a sharp and sudden pain that persists, bloody or black stools and vomit that has an appearance of coffee grounds, or bloody vomit. These symptoms may be caused if a blood vessel has been broken in an ulcer or the ulcer has gone through your duodenum or stomach wall. It can also be caused if the food in your stomach has been stopped by the ulcer from moving into the duodenum. Treatment must be given immediately when you experience these symptoms and surgery may also sometimes be required.
Peptic ulcer treatment: The main aim in the treatment of peptic ulcers include getting rid of the causes that underlie the disease, preventing further complications and damage and reducing the risk of the condition from recurring. To bring relief to the peptic ulcer disease symptoms, medication is usually given to eliminate the bacteria helicobacter pylori. Surgery may sometimes be used as a peptic ulcer disease treatment, if the condition is serious or if the medications are ineffective.

Depending on the causes of your peptic ulcers, medications maybe prescribed. A H2 blocker (histamine receptor blocker) or a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) helps reduce the acid in the stomach and protects the duodenum and stomach lining. Some antibiotics may also be prescribed to kill the infection caused by helicobacter pylori. Medications containing bismuth subsalicylate help cover the ulcers and protect them from the effects of stomach acid. These medications will help reduce the peptic ulcer pain and cure the ulcers. If your peptic ulcers have been caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, you may be advised by the doctor to avoid taking them or reduce the dosage. Your doctor may also ask you to take a H2 blocker or PPI along with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Make sure that you take only the medications the doctor prescribes and in the exact way he asks you to even if the pain subsides.

Peptic ulcer diet: Along with the medications you take for peptic ulcer treatment, a proper diet should be essentially followed. Adding foods like tea, garlic, onions, cranberries, celery, and apples to your peptic ulcer disease diet will help stunt the growth of helicobacter pylori. You should also eat foods rich in antioxidants; these include fruits such as tomatoes, cherries, and blueberries and vegetables such as bell peppers and squash. It is better for you to eat more lean meats rather than red meats and beans or tofu for protein. Eliminate or reduce trans-fatty acids, which are usually contained in products that are commercially baked like margarine, processed foods, donuts, onion rings, French fries, cakes, crackers and cookies. You should also refrain from drinking beverages like carbonated drinks, alcohol, and coffee that can irritate the lining of the stomach or increase the production of acid.  Make sure that you drink at least six to eight glasses of water and get regular exercise. By following the tips and precautions and leading a lifestyle that is healthy, you should be able to free yourself from peptic ulcers and all the suffering that comes with it.