What Are Ulcers And How Are They Treated?
Oh, I love that saying! We were always told that stress and spicy foods were the culprits that caused ulcers, but current medical research has shot that theory right out the window. Actually, current data suggests that ulcers are caused by a common bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. It is referred to as H. pylori. It is usually harmless but when it penetrates the mucous lining of the stomach a painful inflammation can occur. An open sore develops and it is this sore that is actually the ulcer.
Ulcers can occur in the stomach and are then known as a gastric ulcer. If they occur in the first part of the upper intestines they are referred to as duodenal ulcers. And of course an esophageal ulcer occurs in the esophagus. Symptomatically they manifest in sharp pains located in the upper abdominal area, usually between the breastbone and the naval. These pains can be sharp and intense. Ulcers can result in loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, abnormal bowel movements and/or excessive burping.
Now that we know that spicy foods don’t actually CAUSE the ulcer we can eat Tex-Mex seven nights a week, correct? Well, not so fast my friend. Although spicy foods don’t actually cause the ulcer they can certainly increase the discomfort if you already have one. And the other creature that got a bad rap for so many years, stress, needs to be avoided anyway. Not only does stress increase your risk for a stroke (or a nervous breakdown!) but it also interferes with digestion. So even if it doesn’t cause an ulcer, per se, it CAN interfere with digestion which in turn can exacerbate the symptoms.
Now that you understand what causes them, you can begin to find ways to treat them. If you have never suffered from an ulcer, count yourself among the blessed. But if you have, then do some research and find some sound, homeopathic treatments. Natural cures are always best.
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