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Alternative Answers for Peptic Ulcers
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. Take a 250-500 mg chewable
tablets before meals and a few hours before bed. Consider licorice root tea,
twice a day or licorice in tincture form.
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.
Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/proacumed.htm Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
References
1. Kumar N, Kumar A, Broor SL, et al, Effects of milk on patients with duodenal
ulcers, Brit Med Journal 293:666, 1998
2. Rydening A, Berstad A, Aadland E, Odeegard B: Prophylactic effects of dietary
fiber in duodenal ulcer disease. The Lancett ii: 736-739, 1982
