I have a family member suffering from an ulcer.
She is trying to control it with her diet and asked me for advice, so of course, I researched this painful, debilitating infection.
Discovering much conflicting and contradictory information, I finally found some consistent information.
Yes, an ulcer is an infection; however, there are 3 major types of ulcers;
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- peptic
- gastric
- duodenal.
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All are basically born from an infection called Helicobacter Pylori or commonly referred to as H. Pylori.
Digestion
Digestion is our body’s way of breaking down the food we eat, while using nutrients from food, to sustain the function of our bodies’ organs.
Gastric juices in the stomach break down proteins.
These juices mainly contains hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which if not kept in balance, can actually damage the lining of the stomach, which can lead to a gastric or peptic ulcer.
Once food passes through the stomach, it enters the duodenum, mixing with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile juice from the liver.
If the enzymes and bile are not balanced, a duodenal ulcer can form.
Symptoms of Ulcers
Although stress can aggravate an ulcer, most are the result of dietary choices.
Most peptic and gastric ulcers occur when the balance of acid your body naturally produces and the mucous defense barrier in the stomach are altered.
Symptoms can be the following:
- Upper abdominal pain or just below the sternum – dull, aching pain
- Pain happens right after eating
- Episodes of nausea
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Anemia – a difficulty digesting proteins, which contains iron
- Chest pain
Symptoms of duodenal ulcers are just slightly different:
- Pain is in the upper abdominal area but comes and goes
- Pain is particularly worse if hungry
- Bloating feeling after eating
Research has shown that one in twenty ulcers is the duodenal type. These are usually the result of over consuming
- aspirin
- ibuprofen
- diclofenac or other anti-inflammatory meds
Treatment
Because ulcers are the result of the H-Pylori infection, a regiment of antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medicines are usually prescribed to rid the body of the infection and control the ulcer symptoms.
Most sufferers need to be conscientious of their diet and educate themselves on what foods can trigger their ulcers.
Foods To Avoid
Ulcers can be aggravated by highly acidic or spicy foods.
Some foods that you would otherwise think were very healthy, should be off the menu for ulcer victims…such as
Smoked or processed meats Black pepper Chili powder Mustard Seeds Nutmeg Caffeine, coffee, tea, soda
Chocolate
Good Foods
Skinless chicken (not fried) Salmon (not smoked or processed) Brown rice Oatmeal Almonds
Whole grains Skim, low-fat milk Goat and soy cheese Fiber
Eating these good foods will not cure an ulcer but making a transition to a healthier diet will subside symptoms, as well as provide longer-lasting health benefits.
An ulcer can become a much more serious health threat if it ruptures and begins to bleed; therefore, if you experience the described symptoms and suspect you may have an ulcer, seek medical attention from a licensed physician.
If you suffer from ulcers, try making our SJ Trail Munch Mix.
It contains several of the “good foods,” you want to eat.
SJ Trail Munch
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup shelled pecan halves
- 1 cup Peanut M & M candies
- 1 cup shelled, raw pistachios
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and store in an air-tight container on the counter.
- One handful is about two tablespoons
