The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Franel Phytotherapy Clinic, Ikotun, Lagos, Dr Francis Elegbuo, answers the first question on ulcer. Consultant Homeopath/ Magnetotherapist Dr Cyril Omisande of Cyrillic Holistic Health Clinic, Magnet House, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State answers the second on magnetic field.
Contrary to popular belief, neither stress, nor spicy foods, another commonly blamed culprit, causes ulcers. They can, however, exacerbate ulcers. Peptic ulcers —sores in the lining of the stomach or intestines—can largely be blamed on a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a spiral-shaped micro-organism that can live in the human digestive system.
A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, is a sore or lesion that develops in the lining of the stomach. It can also occur in the upper part of the intestine. Stomach ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach or upper intestine gets irritated by the harmful effects of stomach acid.
The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is burning sensation or pain in the area between your chest and belly button. The pain can last for a few minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the ulcer. Other symptoms include poor appetite, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, belching, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Also, dull, aching, abdominal pain that comes and goes over an extended period of time, burping and bloating, and loss of appetite
People of any age can get stomach ulcers and women are affected as frequently as men. It must be treated immediately or else the ulcer can get worse.
Researchers are not completely certain about how the bacteria spread, but several likely routes have been discovered. Contact with human fecal matter, kissing or sharing saliva with someone who is infected, or ingesting contaminated food or drinking water.
Ulcers can cause serious problems including internal bleeding, blockage of food as it leaves the stomach, and/or holes in the intestines. Symptoms needing immediate attention include: sudden, sharp, and persistent abdominal pain, black or bloody stools and vomit that contains blood or looks similar to coffee grounds.
A good way to prevent ulcer is to guard against infection by H. pylori and avoid activities that weaken the protective lining of the stomach. Here are some common recommendations:
Avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) regularly. These medications can damage the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Long-term and/or regular use of NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, may increase the risk for ulcers. If you must take these medications, try taking them with a meal to reduce irritation to the stomach.
Quit using tobacco if you have not already. Some research has shown that smoking may exacerbate symptoms and slow the healing of ulcers.
Limit the use of alcohol. They increase stomach acid and irritate the stomach, possibly making it more susceptible to ulceration.
Wash your hands frequently. Be sure to wash your hands completely, tops and palms, using soap and water after using the bathroom, and dry them well. H. pylori can be transmitted through human stools.
Drink water from clean sources. Contaminated water can contain H. pylori. Health care providers usually treat ulcers caused by H. pylori with antibiotics and other drugs. If you’re having some of these or other symptoms, and you are worried you might have an ulcer, make an appointment with your health care provider. She/he will examine you, if necessary, so that the course of treatment can be determined for you.
Here are other alternative ways to reduce inflammation and strengthens the stomach lining, so as to prevent ulcer:
Banana: Both ripe and unripe bananas are very effective. There are certain antibacterial compounds in bananas that inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori. To treat an ulcer eat at least three ripe bananas a day. If you do not like eating bananas, you can make banana milkshakes. Alternatively, peel two or three bananas and cut them into thin slices. Put the slices in the sun until they become dry, and eat.
Cabbage: Being a lactic acid food, cabbage helps produce amino acid that stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining. This in turn helps strengthen the stomach lining and heal the ulcer. Cut one half of a raw head of cabbage and two carrots into small pieces and put them in a blender to extract the juice. Drink one-half cup of this juice before each meal and at bedtime. Repeat daily for a few weeks. Be sure to use fresh juice each time.
Cayenne Pepper: Surprisingly, cayenne pepper is another very effective remedy for treating stomach ulcers. Mix one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of warm water. Drink it twice a day for the first two to three days. Gradually increase the amount of cayenne pepper up to one-quarter-teaspoon twice daily for the rest of the week. Alternatively, take cayenne capsules that you can buy at health food stores. Take three capsules a day immediately after meals for one week. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to soups, meats and other savory dishes.
Coconut: Coconut is very good for people suffering from stomach ulcers because of its antibacterial qualities. It kills the bacteria that cause ulcers. Moreover, coconut milk and coconut water have anti-ulcer properties. Drink a few cups of fresh coconut milk or tender coconut water daily. Also, eat the kernel of the tender coconut. Follow this treatment for at least one week to get positive results. Alternatively, take one tablespoon of coconut oil in the morning and another at night for one week.
Raw honey: It has potent healing properties that help a lot in the treatment of stomach ulcers. An enzyme called glucose oxidase in honey produces hydrogen peroxide, which in turn kills harmful bacteria that cause ulcers. It also soothes and reduces the inflammation of the stomach lining.
Take two tablespoons of raw honey daily, early in the morning on an empty stomach. It will help cleanse the bowel, strengthen the stomach lining, and prevent and treat stomach ulcers.
