Peptic ulcer

The main goals for treating a peptic ulcer include getting rid of the underlying cause (particularly H. pylori infection, use of NSAIDs, and reducing stress levels), preventing further damage and complications, and reducing the risk of recurrence. Medication is almost always needed to alleviate symptoms and must be used to eradicate H. pylori. Surgery is required for certain serious or life-threatening complications of peptic ulcers and may be considered if medications are not working. Even with medications, many lifestyle factors, including making changes in your diet, are important. Certain herbs, acupuncture, or homeopathy may be helpful additions to usual medical care.

Lifestyle

Doctors used to recommend eating bland foods with milk and only small amounts of food with each meal. Now we know that such a diet is not needed to treat ulcers. Dietary and other lifestyle measures that should help include:

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• A diet rich in fiber, especially from fruits and vegetables. This may reduce your risk of developing an ulcer in the first place and speed your recovery if you already have one.
• Foods containing flavonoids, like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may inhibit the growth of H. pylori.
• Some people may find that spicy foods make existing symptoms worse.
• Quit smoking.
• Receive treatment for alcohol abuse; your doctor can help get you appropriate care.
• Cut down on coffee, including decaffeinated coffee, as well as carbonated beverages. All three can increase stomach acid.
• Reduce stress with regular use of relaxation techniques, such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong, or meditation. These practices may also help lessen pain and reduce your need for NSAIDs. Consider taking a class; some early information suggests that, if you have an ulcer, a formal stress reducing program may be more helpful than listening to tapes on your own at home.

Medications

If you have H. pylori, you will probably be prescribed three medications. “Triple therapy,” including a proton pump inhibitor to reduce acid production and two antibiotics, is commonly used to treat H. pylori-related gastritis and ulcers. Bismuth salicylate (Pepto-Bismol) may be used instead of the second antibiotic. This drug, available over-the-counter, coats and soothes the stomach, protecting it from the damaging effects of acid. Two drug regimens are currently being developed.

Some of the same drugs are used for non-H. pylori gastritis, as well as for symptoms (like indigestion) due to ulcers:

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Antacids. Available over-the-counter, they may relieve heartburn or indigestion but will not treat an ulcer. Antacids may block medications from being absorbed and thereby decrease the medicine’s effectiveness. Doctors recommend taking antacids at least 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, taking medications. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for more information. Antacids include:

• Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, AlternaGEL)
• Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia)
• Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta)
• Calcium carbonate (Rolaids, Titralac, Tums)
• Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer)

H2 blockers. Reduce gastric acid secretion. They include:

• Cimetidine (Tagemet)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
• Nizatidine (Axid)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)

Proton-pump inhibitors. Decrease gastric acid production. They include:

• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Surgery and Other Procedures

If bleeding from an ulcer does not stop with medication and supportive care (like fluids and blood transfusion), a physician called a gastroenterologist will perform an endoscopy. He first identifies the ulcer and the area that is bleeding, then injects medications to stop the bleeding and stimulate the formation of a blood clot. If the bleeding recurs or you have a perforated ulcer or an obstruction, surgery may be required. About 30% of people who come to the hospital with a bleeding ulcer need endoscopy or surgery.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

• Foods containing flavonoids, like apples, celery, cranberries (including cranberry juice), onions, garlic, and tea may inhibit the growth of H. pylori.
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
• Eat foods high in B vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
• Use healthy oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially-baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid beverages that may irritate the stomach lining or increase acid production including coffee (with or without caffeine), alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

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These supplements may also help:

• Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus). Probiotics or “friendly” bacteria may help maintain a balance in the digestive system between good and harmful bacteria such as H. pylori. Probiotics may help suppress H. pylori infection and may also help reduce side effects from taking antibiotics, the treatment for an H. pylori infection. Some probiotic supplements may need to be refrigerated for best results.
• Vitamin C. One study found that taking vitamin C along with triple therapy allowed the dose of one antibiotic to be lower. Vitamin C may also be helpful in treating bleeding stomach ulcers caused by aspirin use. More research is needed.

Herbs

Herbs are a way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider before starting and during treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, or teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

• Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Some preliminary research suggests cranberry may inhibit H. pylori growth in the stomach. Large amounts of cranberry may be inappropriate for people who are allergic to aspirin due to the fact that cranberry contains Salicylic Acid. Cranberry extracts also can contain high levels of a chemical called oxalate, which may increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Cranberry may interfere with certain medications, including Coumadin (warfarin). Speak with your physician if you are taking medications before using cranberry extracts.
• Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) standardized extract. Mastic is a traditional treatment for peptic ulcers and inhibits H. pylori in test tubes. More studies are needed to see whether it works in humans.
• DGL-licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) standardized extract, chewed either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. May help protect against stomach damage from NSAIDs. Glycyrrhizin is a chemical found in licorice that causes most of the side effects and drug interactions. DGL is deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed. DO NOT take DGL at the same time as other medications.

Homeopathy

Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of ulcers or its symptoms, based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for you individually. For the treatment of ulcers, even if you seek homeopathic remedies as adjunctive care, you should still follow conventional treatment recommendations.

• Argentum nitricum. For abdominal bloating with belching and pain.
• Arsenicum album. For ulcers with intense burning pains and nausea; especially for people who cannot bear the sight or smell of food and are thirsty.
• Kali bichromicum. For burning or shooting abdominal pain that is worse in the hours after midnight.
• Lycopodium. For bloating after eating with burning that lasts for hours; especially for people who feel hungry soon after eating and wake up hungry.
• Nitric acid. For sharp, shooting pain that worsens at night and is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and even fear of dying.
• Nux vomica. For digestive disturbances (including heartburn and indigestion) that worsen after eating; particularly for those who crave alcohol, coffee, and tobacco.
• Phosphorus. For burning stomach pain that worsens at night; those for whom this remedy is appropriate tend to feel very thirsty, craving cold beverages.
• Pulsatilla. For symptoms that vary (that is, change abruptly) and pain that gets worse from fatty foods; appropriate people are distinctly not thirsty.

Acupuncture

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.

Chiropractic

Chiropractors report, and preliminary evidence suggests, that spinal manipulation may benefit some people with uncomplicated gastric or duodenal ulcers. In one small clinical study, researchers compared the effectiveness of medication to spinal manipulation over a period of up to 22 days. Those who received spinal manipulation had significant pain relief after an average of 4 days, and were completely free of symptoms on average 10 days earlier, than those who took medication. More research is needed to understand when and how chiropractic care might be helpful if you have peptic ulcer disease.

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