Home Remedies and Herbs for Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the intestines, called the duodenum.¹ Different names are given to peptic ulcers depending on their location. For example, ulcers that occur in the stomach are called gastric ulcers while those that occur in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers.²

What Causes Peptic Ulcer?

A common misconception about peptic ulcer causes is that they arise due to stress or spicy foods. While these factors can worsen peptic ulcer symptoms, they are not the cause. Among the most common peptic ulcer causes is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori.³ This bacteria weakens the stomach’s protective lining, which allows digestive juices to damage the lower linings of the digestive tract.² Up to 20 percent of Americans older than 40 have are infected with this bacteria, though not all people infected will develop ulcers.¹ Other peptic ulcer causes include the long-term use of certain anti-inflammatory and painkiller medications like Advil and Aleve.³ They do this by blocking substances in the stomach, called prostaglandins, that help promote blood flow and protect from injury.¹ Individuals taking pain medications for long periods should talk to their doctor about which painkillers are safest for them. Other peptic ulcer causes include smoking cigarettes and issues that can cause direct damage to the stomach lining such as alcohol use, physical injury, radiation therapy, and burns.¹ Risk factors for peptic ulcers, which may increase your chance of contracting H. pylori, include:

• Diabetes
• Older age
• Stress
• Coffee drinking

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

Peptic ulcer symptoms start with a burning stomach.⁴ Pain may worsen on an empty stomach and can be relieved through eating certain foods that soothe the ulcers or by taking acid-reducing medications.4 Other common peptic ulcer symptoms include:⁴

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Food intolerances

Some people with peptic ulcers may not experience symptoms at all. Other may develop uncommon but severe symptoms like:⁴

• Vomiting
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling faint
• Appetite changes or weight loss

Contact your doctor immediately if you feel a sudden sharpness in abdominal pain, vomit blood, or notice blood in your stool. Also talk to your doctor if you experience ongoing pain that returns after treatment. Ulcers are typically treated through medications that aim to eliminate the underlying cause, such as bacteria, or to reduce acid in the stomach to allow it to heal. Peptic ulcer herbs may help soothe your symptoms and promote healing.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/peptic-ulcer
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/peptic-ulcer
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/home/ovc-20231363
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20231407