Peptic ulcers are a group of ulcerative disorders that occur in the area of the
upper GI tract that are exposed to acid-pepsin secretion. There are mainly two
groups:
Gastric ulcers - gnawing, burning pain present, usually after taking food
Duodenal ulcers - pain present on an empty stomach, relieved by eating.
Causes to consider:
*Heliobacter pylori infection
*Use of NSAID and aspirin
*Increased acid secretion
*Decrease barrier lining
An ulcer is caused when the mucosal lining of the stomach has deteriorated,
allowing digestive acids to eat away at the underlying tissue. They are painful
and can be very dangerous if left untreated. Other symptoms, other than pain,
can present as bleeding, obstruction or perforation.
Heliobacter pylori (H pylori) is an S-shaped bacterium that colonizes in the
mucus secreting epithelial cells of the stomach. Since it has multiple flagella,
the bacterium moves and produces urease, which allows it to buffer the acid
environment of the stomach and live there. The barrier lining of the stomach
often becomes available to infection due to alcohol intake which can disrupt the
lining. Too much intake of NSAIDS such as aspirin also irritate the inner lining
of the stomach.
If you believe you have an ulcer, the first thing to do is visit your doctor and
have that confirmed. The doctor's diagnosis looks at your history, barium meal
X-ray or an endoscopy.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
This is a rare condition with severe, recurrent and complicated ulcer with or
without diarrhea. The cause is a Gastric Secreting Tumor, single or multiple
that is mostly present in the pancreas. 2/3 of the tumor are often malignant.
Treatment would include acid reduction of secretion and often surgical removal
of the tumor.
Stress Ulcers/Curling's Ulcer
GI ulceration can often develop in relation to major psychological stress
associated with burns, trauma, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome,
severe liver failure or major surgeries. Since the body is under extreme stress,
it will secrete more HCL which is the apparent cause.
Alternative Therapies
If you choose to go with a natural remedy, cabbage juice has been researched for
its quick healing of ulcers. Drinking one quart of cabbage juice per day can
heal ulcers in five to ten days in many patients. Eating a lot of cabbage is
also good for fending off a return of your ulcer, although the cabbage itself
was not as useful in healing existing ulcers as the juice was.
Bilberry contains 11 Anthocyanosides, which have been shown to block ulcer
formations.
Calendula is an immune stimulating herb with anti-bacterial and anti-viral
properties that have shown to relieve chronic stomach irritation.
Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and contains
stomach soothing properites. It also includes Apigenin, which is the known
bioflavonoid shown to inhibit the growth of H pylori bacteria.
Cranberry. Some preliminary research suggests cranberry may inhibit H. pylori
growth in the stomach. Consider 400 mg twice daily.
Garlic, which contains anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities.
Gentian is one of the bitter herbs that help in digestion.
Ginger contains 11 compounds with anti-ulcer activity. This aromatic bitter
stimulates the digestive system and helps improve sluggish digestion.
Licorice soothes inflammation and stimulates the production of mucin, which
coats the stomach. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is what you should use, since
regular licorice root can raise blood pressure. DGL is deglycyrrhizinated
licorice, or licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed. Glycyrrhizin is a chemical
found in licorice that causes side effects and drug interactions. Take a 250-500
mg chewable tablets before meals and a few hours before bed. 3 times daily taken
either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Consider licorice root tea, twice a
day or licorice in tincture form. May help protect against stomach damage from
NSAIDs.
Marshmallow Root is a mucilage and relieves irritated and inflamed mucous
membranes in the digestive tract.
Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) is a traditional treatment for peptic ulcers and
inhibits H. pylori in test tubes. Consider standardized extract, 1,000 - 2,000
mg daily in divided dosages.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) may help relieve symptoms of peptic ulcer.
Standardized, enteric coated tablet, 1 tablet 2 - 3 times daily. Each tablet
contains 0.2 ml peppermint oil. Be sure to use the enteric coated form to avoid
heartburn.
Pineapple provides glutamine which has been proven effective against ulcers.
Also with bromelain, which works wonders on the digestive system.
Red pepper/cayenne may protect against peptic ulcers because Capsicum has been
shown to prevent ulcers in labratory experiments.
Turmeric is a mucilage and relieves irritated and inflamed mucous membranes in
the digestive tract.
Yellow dock root, which is an herbal antibiotic that may block the growth of H
pylori.
Top 12 Tips To Reduce Ulcers
1. Acid reduction is a major part of healing this disorder. Be aware of the
acidity of foods you eat.
2. Cut down the intake of milk and eggs. Higher milk consumption heightens the
risk of peptic ulcers, since milk increase the production of stomach acid.1
3. Reduce intake of sugar and other refined carbohydrates, such as white flour.
Sugar increase stomach acid. Use stevia instead.
4. Reduce salt intake. The more salt consumed the higher the risk of gastric
ulcers.
5. Coffee and tea (even decaf) increases stomach acid.
6. Fiber intake is important. Fiber slows down the the movement of food and
stomach acids to the intestine (Gastric Emptying Time), which helps those with
duodenal ulcers. Consumption of legumes, whole grains, vegetables and other high
fiber foods should be eaten daily.2.
7. Smoking delays ulcer healing. If your serious about healing your ulcers,it's
time to quit.
8. Learn to cope with your stress in your life. Stress is known to exacerbate
ulcers.
9. Use the power of Aromatherapy. Essential oils such as chamomile,
frankincense, geranium and marjoram can be blended into a carrier oil and slowly
massaged into the abdomen.
10. Eat plenty of dark green, leafy vegetables. They contain Vitamin K, which
helps in healing ulcers. Most people with digestive disorders are deficient in
Vitamin K.
11. Acupuncture has been used traditionally for a variety of conditions related
to the digestive tract, including peptic ulcers. A growing body of scientific
evidence suggests that acupuncture can help reduce pain associated with
endoscopy.
12. Sepiae Frutillaria (Wu Bei San) is a traditional herbal formulation that is
historically used for pain commonly associated with and due to overproduction of
stomach acid. This is a modification of the traditional formula, adding
bietillae striatae, rhizoma to increase its efficacy. Bietillae striatae,
rhizoma is reknown to stop bleeding in the spleen and stomach.
HEY! Mastic, also called gum mastic and we greeks call it mastica. We use that in making breads and cookies, just a quarter teaspoon ground up in a loaf of bread or a batch of easter cookies (shortbread) gives a very nice flavor. The japanese discovered it cures ulcers.
Funny thing: It is a gum / resin from a plant that grows on the island of chios. Anywhere else the plants have beem taken to grow fails to givethe gum / resin.
From a holistic point of view, stomach ulcers are rarely caused by increased levels of HCL, although HCL can contribute to the painful symptoms. The lab test for increased HCL is complex and time consuming to do and doctors just don't do it.
Most ulcers are caused by bacteria that have taken up residence in the lining of the stomach. H Pylori is one and there could be many more.
When ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDS or aspirin these drugs must be stopped. The treatment is the same as for ulcers caused by bacteria.
When the acid secretions of the stomach have been reduced due to age, poor diet or stress, bacteria can thrive. Stomach acid is the first line of defense against disease causing microbes invading the lining of the stomach as well as other types of parasites that may come in on food and move into the intestines and blood stream. Most people have some parasites in their blood for even those people with good stomach acid secretions a few can slip through and take up residence.
During severe stress the sympathetic system decreases acid via the parasympathetic nervous system. It does not increase acid. This is a defense mechanism to prepare the body for fligtht or fight. Those systems that are not directly involved in preparation for combat slow down or shut down.
When there is less acid in the stomach for a prolonged period of time ulcers form because bacteria invade the lining of the wall of the stomach. When an invasion occurs any amount of stomach acid present all will burn tremendously in the abraded tissue, causing severe pain and further growth of the ulcer. Most people with stomach ulcers also have some degree of reflux and may have been on an antacid drug for some time to help control that symtom. Antacid drugs will promote the formation of stomach ulcers.
The proper treatment during the treatment protocol period of time is still yet to reduce acid further and a product like prevacid is recommended. This is esential to protect the lining of the stomach from further erosion. During this time the correct antimicrobial treament is administered. My preference is ozonated water, at least 4 eight ounce glasses a day on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meal made with cold water that has been ozonated for 20 minutes. Grapefruit seed extract, one tablet two times a day may be taken to protect the lower gut from parasitic invasiond during this therapy.
https://www.enaly.com/ The enlay ozonator that does not use bottled oxygen has proven sufficient for this treatment. About $50.
Treatment should be for up to 3 weeks, but those that have used this protocol have found significant relief in just a few days. Some people have stopped treatment in one week, against my better judgement.
The antacid should be stopped when the treatment is done. Because this disease is caused by a decrease in the stomach acid levels, methods should be employed to increase stomach acid. Betain HCL is a good choice to supplement stomach acid. Start with 1 or 2 tablets with meals With small meals or snacks 1 tablet may be sufficient. In time, the stomach secretions may be reactivated fromt his supplementation so that it is no longer required. Gas and bloating and reflux should go away when the acid is doing its job. When the betain HCL is stopped these symptoms should not return and this will be the sign that your stomach acid secretions are now sufficient.
Anyone of the previously listed alternative treatments may be used in conjunction with ozone therapy. Do not use cayenne during an active ulcer as it will cause pain.
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"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." Marcus Aurelius
Alternative Answers for Peptic Ulcers
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