Aching sores that can originate in the stomach lining or small intestines are called stomach ulcers. It is the common visible sign of peptic ulcer disease. It happens when the thick layer of mucus that defends your stomach from digestive juices is lessened; this enables the digestive acids to eat way at the lining tissues of the stomach. They are easily cured, but it can be severe without proper handling.
Damage from the acid contents of the stomach can cause stomach ulcers. The stomach is where food first assembles after passing down from the mouth. Stomach acid helps with food digestion. Acid also aids to protect against harmful microbes.
What Causes Stomach Ulcers?
This stomach ulcer cannot be only caused by one single factor. Stomach ulcer is usually caused by one of the following:
- Bacterial Infection
- Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin
- Hyperacidity
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is a disease that the body produces excess stomach acid.
Risk Factors that can cause stomach ulcers
These factors and behaviors can give you the higher risk for developing stomach ulcers:
- Smoking
- Persistent use of steroids
- Hypercalcemia
- History in the family
- Persons over 50 years old
- Too much alcohol
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer
You can possibly have or not to have symptoms in an ulcer. If symptoms occur this may include:
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning pain at the middle or upper stomach
- Burping
- Dull pain in the stomach
For severe cases, symptoms may include the following:
- Vomiting of blood
- Weight Loss
- Severe pain
- Dark or black stool (this may be due to bleeding)
Damage from the acid contents of the stomach can cause stomach ulcers.
Home Treatment to Stomach Ulcers
There are natural home remedies that you can use to ease the symptoms of stomach ulcers.
- Flavonoids – These compounds that comes naturally in fruits and vegetables. Soybeans, teas, broccoli, apple, berries and red grapes are just some that are rich in flavonoids.
- Probiotics – These helps keep your digestive system keep moving. They are present in some foods like miso, kimchi, buttermilk and yogurt.
- Honey – It is a powerful antibacterial.
- Cranberry – It has the ability to fight urinary tract infection by preventing bacteria settling on the walls of the bladder.
What to Avoid?
To reduce ulcer pain you should avoid the following:
- Coffee
- Carbonated beverages
- Processed food
- Deep fried food
- Salty red meats
- Chilis and hot pepper