Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal
Symptoms
Ulcers are exceedingly common, open sores that occur in the mucous membrane lining the digestive tract. They often cause a very painful burning or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen. The pain is accompanied by an empty, hungry feeling, nausea and vomiting. The peptic, or duodenal, ulcer occurs in the upper intestine just below the stomach. Peptic ulcers are named after the enzyme pepsin that digests protein. They are also called a duodenal ulcers if bile from the gall-bladder aggravates the duodenal lining.
The pain of a duodenal ulcer is felt when the stomach is empty. Waking at night and pain several hours after eating are common symptoms. Food helps the pain to subside. Duodenal ulcers are the most common form of ulcer. Gastric, or stomach, ulcers have a variety of symptoms. The pain usually develops while eating or soon after. It can also occur independently of food. When eating brings on pain, the natural reflex is to stop eating, which results in weight loss. Ulcers cause pain, but can be difficult to diagnose when they cause is only mild discomfort.
Ulcers cause serious complications if left untreated. If an ulcer penetrates the stomach wall, it causes internal bleeding and abdominal inflammation, with severe abdominal pain. Slow, recurring bleeding is not immediately serious, though it can result in substantial blood loss over time. Anemia or dark stools with digested blood may be signs of a bleeding ulcer. If the sore eats away at a larger blood vessel, it will cause sudden and severe internal bleeding, resulting in extreme weakness. Vomit that looks like coffee grounds suggests a bleeding ulcer.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Causes
An ulcer occurs when the protective mucus and buffers lining the stomach are broken down by hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Usually, this is attributed to high stomach acidity, but an ulcer can persist when the protective mucus is missing or inadequate, despite low stomach acidity. Although bacteria irritate certain ulcers, a poor diet is the primary cause. An overabundance of sugar and a lack of fiber are largely responsible for provoking ulcers. Fatty gravies, fried foods, saturated fats and large meals overfill the stomach and sit for long periods. Refined and processed foods put incredible stress on the digestive tract. Coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes increase the aggressive substances that irritate the stomach and intestine. Cold-pressed oils, rich in essential fatty acids, should replace all kinds of saturated fat. Wholesome and raw foods contain enzymes and many nutrients that improve the digestive process and prevent disease.
Allergies to certain foods will also cause stomach problems. Aspirinâ„¢, anti-inflammatories and cortisone medications are known to increase hydrochloric acid secretion. However, poor eating habits contribute to the development of most gastrointestinal problems. Many people skip breakfast, but tend to eat large, heavy meals for lunch and dinner. Eating small but frequent meals earlier in the day is much less of a burden on the digestive tract. Eating hurriedly when upset or under stress, and not chewing well place extra strain on the digestive tract.
Stress due to unresolved conflicts, anger, fears and frustrations causes tremendous inner suffering. It is often stress that causes ulcers to develop after operations and injury.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Nutrition
Vegetable and fruit juices, such as carrot and cabbage juice, are soothing and healing remedies for ulcer patients who often cannot tolerate raw vegetables. Drink a glass five times daily. Add celery juice to the mixture for a milder flavor. Vegetables and fruits which are usually well tolerated include spinach, cucumber, avocado, cabbage, potato and banana, apples, melons and cantaloupe. They provide essential nutrients, as well as enzymes for nutrient assimilation.
Eat small, frequent meals and choose soothing, mucilaginous foods such as ground flax seeds in buttermilk, yogurt or porridge. Well-cooked grains, vegetables and fruits are best. Congees of oats, barley or rice are beneficial. Plain unsweetened yogurt containing live culture, mixed with freshly ground flax seed creates a beneficial bacterial environment in the intestine.
Avoid fatty, rich foods, vinegar, citrus fruits and plums, and do not drink coffee or tea, as these produce excess stomach acid. For a bleeding ulcer, fast for one or two days with camomile tea. Then, start with buttermilk, adding oatmeal porridge with cream on the fourth day. It is better not to drink too much liquid with an ulcer diet. If you have recurring ulcers, eat simple meals for a couple of months such as, oatmeal porridge, unpolished rice and potatoes. Drink mineral water and diluted potato juice. Do not eat bran or wholewheat bread as the bran irritates the already-damaged stomach lining, triggers pain and even causes light bleeding.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Nutritional Supplements
Changes in diet and lifestyle should be complemented with nutritional supplements for optimal benefits. Healing clay absorbs toxins and has been used successfully to soothe and heal ulcers. Vitamins A, C and E, and the mineral zinc prevent the development of stress ulcers and promote the healing of existent ones. The vitamins improve mucus secretion and prevent scarring. Vitamin C should include bioflavonoids, which enhance the vitamin's effect and hinder the overproduction of stomach acid. The essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil provide the building blocks for prostaglandins which block inflammation and promote healing.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Healing clay, mix 1 tsp. of clay with 1 cup of water and drink before meals, three times daily or when feeling pain.
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU daily (avoid during pregnancy)
Helpful
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg daily
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU twice daily
Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Herbal Remedies
Herbs provide a natural calming effect that speeds the healing of stomach ulcers.
Drink a cup of strong, warm camomile tea every morning on an empty stomach. Lie on your stomach for four minutes, then roll over to the left side, then onto the back and then to the right side for four minutes each. Repeat for fourteen days. Camomile soothes and heals, and has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
Aloe vera juice is especially helpful for soothing and healing ulcers. Drink 1 tbsp. of juice daily.
Make a cup of herbal tea using one or a combination of the following herbs and drink 1 or 2 cups daily until the ulcer is gone. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp. of herbs. Valerian combined with St. John's wort has an overall calming effect. Slippery elm bark has a soothing effect on mucous membranes. Comfrey is a tissue mender. White oak bark, red raspberry, and goldenseal are antibacterial. Calamus, licorice and myrrh have a soothing and healing effect.
Whole leaf aloe vera juice is soothing and healing, even for those stomach pains and cramps caused by peptic ulcers.
Licorice root herb tea is a long-used stomach pain reliever. The long-term use of large amounts of licorice can elevate blood pressure in some susceptible individuals. The best way to avoid this problem is to use deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL); it is available at most health food stores and pharmacies specializing in natural remedies.
Many different companies manufacture the four-herb combination of burdock, slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb and sheep sorrel. It can be used alone or in combination with DGL, aloe vera juice or prescription medications.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Homeopathy
For acute problems, see appropriate sections, such as indigestion or vomiting.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Tissue Salts
Take 4 tablets under the tongue, four times daily.
Use Nat phos for symptoms of overacidity such as, sour belching, heartburn and pain hours after eating.
If anxiety and nervous tension affect the stomach, use Kali phos. It also helps treat strong empty stomach feelings.
For pain after eating rich, fatty foods, when there is constipation and a white-coated tongue, use Kali mur.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal External/Physical Therapies
Rest and warmth are essential to improve ulcers. After the third week, apply dry brush massages and after the fourth week, hot showers, baths and body washes will help.
Keep the digestive tract warm at all times. After meals, and more often throughout the day if possible, place a hot-water bottle or hot herbal pack on the stomach.
Reflexology
Manipulate the reflexes of the diaphragm, solar plexus, stomach, intestines, diaphragm and adrenals, as illustrated.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Other Suggestions
Try to avoid stressful situations for at least three to four weeks.
Plan regular mealtimes in a relaxed atmosphere, and take time to chew the food slowly and consciously.
Place a folded towel under the mattress at the head of the bed, to prevent acid from flowing back into the trachea.
Re-evaluate your lifestyle. Include plenty of rest and relaxation to prevent ulcers from recurring.
Avoid antacids as a treatment for ulcers because they cause a rebound effect. By binding stomach acid, they cause the stomach to produce more acid, causing ulcers to worsen.
Ulcers Stomach and Intestinal Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Bentonite Clay, Hydrated (Inno-Vite)
Micel-E (Klaire Laboratories)
Healthy Trinity (Natren)
Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)
Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)
Beta Green (Natural Factors)
Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Clear Base (Natural Factors)
Ester C (Natural Factors)
Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)
Megazyme (Natural Factors)
Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil
(Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Aloe Seltzer C (Nutraceutics Corp.)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Bee Health Propolis Tincture (Inno-Vite)
Aloe Vera Gel (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Inner Leaf (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Gel (The Real Aloe Co.)
Herbal Remedies
Salus Yarrow Tincture (Flora)
Green Magma (Green Foods)
Green Kamut (Green Kamut)
Bio K (Greens+)
Enriching Green Factors (Natural Factors)
St. John's Wort Extract (Natural Factors)
Golden Seal Root (Nature's Herbs)
Red Raspberry Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Slippery Elm Bark (Nature's Herbs)
St. John's-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Valerian-Power (Nature's Herbs)
White Willow Bark (Nature's Herbs)
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