Stomach ulcers, or peptic ulcers, are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach. They also occur in the upper portion of your small intestine. Your stomach experiences serious pain when you have an ulcer.
What causes this condition? What are the signs and symptoms of a stomach ulcer? How can you prevent it from happening to you? Here are 4 tips for avoiding a stomach ulcer.
What Causes a Stomach Ulcer?
Most ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. This bacterial infection grows in the digestive tract and attacks the stomach lining. These infections are usually harmless but are usually responsible for stomach ulcers occurring.
In addition to this bacterial infection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could also cause ulcers. These are normally over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. So be careful in taking these medications in moderation.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer
There are several signs and symptoms you must watch out for in a stomach ulcer. The most common one is burning stomach pain. This symptom only makes your condition worse. Other common symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:
- Feeling of fullness, bloating, and belching
- Nausea
- Intolerance to fatty foods
- Heartburn
Many patients with stomach ulcers don’t even experience symptoms at all. Some of the rare symptoms that a stomach ulcer could cause are:
- Vomiting
- Feeling faint
- Trouble breathing
- Appetite changes
How Can You Avoid a Stomach Ulcer?
Fortunately, there are ways you can avoid experiencing a stomach ulcer. An empty stomach could also make the pain worse. So eating the right foods that could fight against the infection H. pylori could help. Some of these foods include:
- Cauliflower
- Blueberries
- Cabbage
- Leafy greens
- Honey
- Garlic
- Olive oil
These foods are just a few examples that are rich in antioxidants. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach have calcium and B vitamins. Several of these foods could help activate your immune system and fight against H. pylori.
Probiotic supplements are also beneficial for stomach ulcers. Supplements could help reduce symptoms associated with antibiotics. Be sure to ask your doctor which probiotic is best for you.
Practicing good hygiene is also helpful in avoiding the condition. While it’s still unclear how H. pylori spreads, there are some possibilities about it transmitting through food, water, and person to person. So wash your hands at all times and make sure your food is thoroughly cooked before eating it.
Exercise precautions when using pain relievers. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs every day could raise your risk of getting an ulcer. If you must take a pain reliever, be sure to take it with your meals. Talk to your doctor about prescribing the lowest dose possible that could still give you relief. He may also suggest taking an antacid or an acid blocker along with the anti-inflammatory drug.
Follow these 4 tips for avoiding or treating a stomach ulcer and you should be fine. For more advice about your digestive health, check out this past blog post on another stomach-related condition. If you’ve dealt with a stomach ulcer or know someone who has, feel free to share in the comments section below. Be sure to like or share this post with someone you care about.
