Stomach Ulcers - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Ulcers mean sores or erosions. We have heard about mouth ulcers that occur in the soft tissues inside the lining of the mouth and stomach ulcers that develop in the stomach lining. While both are painful and distressing, mouth ulcers are comparatively less harmful than stomach ulcers.

The glands in the stomach wall secrete gastric acid into the stomach which helps in the digestion of foods. When this gastric acid erodes the mucus layer present in the stomach gets inflamed and sores develop. Stomach ulcers can make your life miserable with distressing pain in the stomach that often occurs between meals or even at night. But with proper awareness and timely intervention, it can be prevented, managed, and cured. There are conventional treatment methods as well as homeopathic medicine for stomach ulcers and ayurvedic medicine for stomach ulcers that offer promising remedies. After going through this blog, you will be able to identify and learn the symptoms and causes of stomach ulcers along with the preventive measures and treatment methods.

How to know you have stomach ulcers?

The symptoms of stomach ulcers differ and can be based on the severity of the condition. It's not easy to point out any of the medical issues without proper tests, but common symptoms are:

• Unbearable pain in the stomach usually after or before meals.
• Fullness in the stomach or bloating.
• Loss of appetite.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Dark stools due to bleeding.
• Vomiting blood, red or coffee ground.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you may have stomach ulcers and may require urgent consultation from a physician because untreated ulcers might further lead to complications such as bleeding or damage to the stomach wall.

What causes stomach ulcers?

The causes of stomach ulcers can be several, but commonly it may occur due to:

• Bacterial infections such as H. pylori. It damages the protective layer of the stomach exposing it to strong gastric acid.
• Overuse of painkillers irritates the stomach lining, resulting in ulcers.
• Certain health conditions may cause excess secretion of gastric acid, making the stomach lining vulnerable.
• Acidic, caffeinated, or spicy food can become a cause of stomach ulcers. Similarly, fasting or skipping meals also can aggravate the condition as it disturbs the digestive fire and causes more secretion of gastric juices.
• Excessive intake of alcohol or smoking can add to the painful condition.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Stomach Ulcers

The ayurvedic treatment for stomach ulcers includes dietary and lifestyle changes along with ayurvedic medicine for stomach ulcers. The ayurvedic treatment method focuses on reducing acid production in the stomach and lowering the effect of gastric acids.

A few of the natural herbs that reduce the secretion of gastric acid or neutralize its effect are:

Yashtimadhu: It pacifies the stomach lining and cuts down the production of stomach acids. You can have it with milk or water or consumed as a tea.

Aloe Vera: Taking aloe vera juice on an empty stomach soothes stomach linings, reduces soreness and inflammation, and balances acid levels in the stomach.

Amla: Amla is a strong remedy for healing stomach tissues and providing relief from stomach ulcers. It is rich in vitamin C and has antioxidants.

Shatavari: Shatavari is known in ayurveda for balancing pitta dosha and soothes stomach lining. The imbalance of pitta dosha is considered one of the causes of stomach ulcers. Studies have revealed that Shatavari roots coat the stomach lining, neutralize gastric acid, and increase the life span of stomach mucosa.

Prevention is better than cure

Dietary Advice

• Steer clear of hot, acidic, or oily foods.
• Have foods such as milk, coconut water, cucumber, watermelon, etc. that have cooling effects.
• Have a balanced and fiber-rich food. Add probiotics and lots of vegetables to your diet.
• Don't skip meals and have meals at regular intervals.
• Drink a lot of plain water or teas made of herbs such as coriander, fennel, or cumin seeds. They calm and heal the stomach.
• Add honey to your diet as it has antibacterial properties and helps in healing.
• Probiotics fight H. pylori and improve gut health.

Lifestyle Changes

• Stress though doesn't directly cause stomach ulcers but it causes over-secretion of gastric acid that may lead to stomach ulcers. So, try to manage stress with techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises.
• Shun alcohol, smoking, and caffeine as they irritate the stomach lining and can aggravate ulcers.
• Avoid overuse of painkillers, especially on an empty stomach.

A healthy gut may prevent stomach issues like gas, acidity, constipation, and stomach ulcers. To make your stomach healthy, ayurvedic remedies such as Udarsanjivani offer various benefits such as good digestion, relief from bloating, reduced acidity, detoxification, balanced appetite, and enhanced metabolism.

Wrap-up

For stomach ulcers, ayurveda and hemopathy have natural remedies that are effective, safe, and have fewer side effects because of their natural composition. Ayurvedic treatment for stomach ulcers stress change in lifestyle and change in dietary habits. Ayurvedic medicine for stomach ulcers not only heals but also tackles the root causes of this painful condition. If your symptom worsens, seek medical advice without delay.