How Do I Know If I Have A Stomach Ulcer?
Millions of people worldwide have stomach ulcers. In most of these cases, it is due to an infection, caused by the bacterium helicobacter pylori, and not due to food or emotional tension, as a lot of people think.
In this article, you will learn how to detect if you have stomach ulcers and how to choose the right treatment.
Important information about stomach ulcers
Gastric ulcer is a lesion in the lining of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). They affect both men and women. The primary symptom of this digestive problem is a burning sensation in the stomach and navel, even if you have not eaten anything.
How do I know I have a stomach ulcer?
It is good to recognize the symptoms that a lesion in the mucosa might be present. This will help you choose a home remedy. So pay attention:
Abdominal pains
You may feel a sharp burning sensation between your sternum and navel, even without eating too much, or forcing any movement. The pain can vary in intensity and duration.
It is most often between meals because this is when the stomach is empty. The best way to describe it is to call it the “burn” in the stomach. You will probably suffer from this more at night and when you are hungry or when it has been a long time since your last meal.
Other symptoms
As mentioned earlier, stomach ulcers have different symptoms. You need to be on the lookout for them, and remember that you may not always experience the same symptoms every time. There may even be some symptoms that you never experience. These symptoms include:
- Multiple regurgitation.
- More intestinal air.
- Inability to drink fluids.
- Feel like your stomach is full when you have not eaten anything.
- Hunger immediately after eating.
- Mild nausea in the morning.
- Lost appetite.
- General feeling of malaise.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss.
Symptoms of a severe stomach ulcer
If you are not aware of these symptoms when they occurred and you never followed any treatment (home remedies or otherwise), your stomach ulcer will have become chronic and will cause:
- Vomiting (sometimes with blood).
- Dark stools that are thick and cement-like.
- Bloody stools.
Tendency to stomach ulcers
While stomach ulcers can be caused by bacteria, some people are more vulnerable than others. People who are more likely to develop stomach ulcers include those who :
- Has already been infected with H. pyroli or other bacteria.
- Often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This includes aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Has a family history of stomach ulcers.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
- Has kidney, lung or liver disease.
- Is older than 50 years.
Advice to avoid stomach ulcers
If you are beginning to experience these symptoms, or if you belong to any of the groups associated with a greater likelihood of suffering from stomach ulcers, change some habits. Prevention is the best solution. Try to:
Stop smoking
Smoking is very closely linked to the development of stomach ulcers. It is also related to poor circulation to wounds in the mucous membranes, and recurrence of wounds.
Avoid “food triggers”
We refer to foods that harm the health of the stomach, making it more likely to suffer from stomach ulcers. This includes avoiding canned food, to prevent a stomach ulcer, as well as:
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Mint
- Tomatoes
- Fats
- Spicy food
- Raw garlic
- Citrus fruit
Do not take medicine
Certain pills could help you with pain, but they make your wounds worse. Anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthritis or muscle pain damage the lining of the digestive system. See your doctor for an alternative, or look for natural remedies.
Juices and other stomach ulcers
If you have come to the conclusion that you are suffering from stomach ulcers, it would be a good idea to use some of these homemade treatments for your ailment:
- Mix 2 egg whites with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and drink it before breakfast.
- Prepare a juice with 1/2 leaf of kale and a celery stalk. Add water and sweeten with honey.
- Eat one boiled green banana a day.
- Make a smoothie with a banana and a slice of papaya. Drink twice a day.
- Eat wheat bran prepared in different ways.
- Prepare a healing juice with 1/2 kiwi and 1/4 cantaloupe. Add the necessary water and drink immediately.
- Boil 2 tablespoons of chamomile and 2 tablespoons of lemon balm in a cup of water. Let it soak for 5 minutes, then strain and drink after the meal.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of marshmallows and 1 teaspoon of ginger in a cup of boiling water. Let it soak for a few minutes, then drink.
- Make an infusion of 1 liter of water for every 2 tablespoons of fenugreek. Strain and sweeten with honey.
- Thick and swallow a tablespoon of flaxseed. One could also grind them in a mortar or a food processor.
- Make a smoothie with 2 carrots and 1 leaf of cabbage. Strain and drink between meals.
- Use raw honey in various recipes, for example on toast or in cookies.
- Put 2 tablespoons of aloe vera in a glass of water and add 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink 15 minutes after lunch and dinner.
- Prepare a tea with a tablespoon of chamomile, 1 tablespoon of lemon balm and 1 tablespoon of St. John’s wort per cup of warm water. Say and drink.