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What are Some Home Remedies for Ulcers?
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Ulcers occur when the digestive juices used to process the fat, starch, and proteins in food begin to create erosions in the stomach or duodenal lining. Those that occur in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, while ulcers that are located in the duodenum are known as duodenal ulcers. A person suffering from both types is said to have peptic ulcer disease.
Prescription treatments for ulcers can be expensive and have unpleasant side effects. Since the most common symptom is persistent abdominal pain, however, people diagnosed with this condition often find themselves in search of safe and effective home remedies for ulcers.
There are many over-the-counter antacids available to treat ulcers. Pepto-Bismol®, a compound containing bismuth subsalicylate, is useful in the majority of cases. Antacids that contain magnesium are also helpful. However, products containing magnesium should not be used by people suffering from kidney problems.
If you don’t like the taste of over-the-counter antacids, cayenne pepper capsules may be a useful alternative. Commonly used in European countries, cayenne pepper capsules are great home remedies for ulcers because they are soothing to the mucosal linings. They can be purchased at most health food stores and should be taken with your meals to achieve maximum therapeutic benefits.
According to researchers, there are a number of dietary changes that can help relieve ulcers. Bananas have natural antacid effects that make them excellent home remedies. Honey is also said to treat ulcers by helping to reduce inflammation in the lining of the stomach. The taste may take some getting used to, but a juice concoction of carrots and raw cabbage is also considered by some to be a great ulcer home remedy.
Although many people say that yoga, meditation, and other stress relief programs are good home remedies for ulcers, this is not entirely accurate. Stress does not specifically cause ulcers, but it can significantly aggravate the condition. Common causes of ulcers include bacterial infection, immune system abnormalities, alcoholism, and the use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Home remedies work very well in most cases. However, if a patient notices symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, chest pain, or bloody stools, it’s best to seek immediate medical attention. An ulcer may have developed into a more serious problem that can’t be treated using home remedies.
Dana Hinders
Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the TheHealthBoard team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.
Learn more...
Dana Hinders
Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the TheHealthBoard team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.
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![Pepto-Bismol® is an over-the-counter remedy that can help treat ulcers.]()
By: David MayerhoferPepto-Bismol® is an over-the-counter remedy that can help treat ulcers. -
![Cayenne pepper capsules can be used as an alternative to antacids to treat ulcers.]()
By: GreseiCayenne pepper capsules can be used as an alternative to antacids to treat ulcers. -
![Bananas can work as a natural antacid.]()
By: Nikolai SorokinBananas can work as a natural antacid. -
![Honey is sometimes used to treat ulcers by reducing inflammation.]()
By: Jaimie DuplassHoney is sometimes used to treat ulcers by reducing inflammation. -
![A healthy stomach and one with peptic ulcers.]()
By: AlilaA healthy stomach and one with peptic ulcers. -
![Aspirin can cause ulcers.]()
By: blueskies9Aspirin can cause ulcers. -
![Yoga and meditation may help with ulcers.]()
By: sannebergYoga and meditation may help with ulcers. -
![Symptoms of heartburn coupled with a gnawing pain in the upper stomach could be a sign of an ulcer.]()
By: LoloStockSymptoms of heartburn coupled with a gnawing pain in the upper stomach could be a sign of an ulcer.
Discussion Comments
@fify-- Yea, ginger is one of the holistic remedies for ulcers. My dad has ulcers and he was told by his holistic practitioner to mix honey and ginger powder or grated fresh ginger and eat a large spoonful in the mornings. He has been feeling slightly better since he started doing this.
Ginger is a bit difficult to swallow, and honey is beneficial for ulcers so it's great to mix them together. He also has a glass of warm milk with it and milk is good for the stomach as well.
Does ginger have any benefit for ulcers?
Antacid medications do little for ulcers from my experience.
The best home remedies are staying away from acid-causing foods, eating only bland things and aloe vera juice.
I haven't been drinking tea or coffee since I've developed ulcers. I also can't have vinegar, lemon juice, ketchup, tomatoes, fried foods or spices. All of these foods give me terrible stomach aches.
I stick to bland foods like grilled cheese, oatmeal, apple juice and applesauce, bananas and mashed potatoes.
Recently, I've also discovered aloe vera juice as a home remedy for ulcers in stomach. It doesn't taste all that great but it's not too bad either. It's very soothing for the stomach and reduces acid production. I bought a large bottle from the health food store and I drink a cup everyday.
@B707 - I disagree somewhat with your post. The actual cause of ulcers is probably not the excess acid in the stomach. The real cause is an infection, use of too much aspirin-like medicines or some problem with the immune system.
These things start irritating the stomach lining.
Then, too much stress, coffee, alcohol, soda, salt, and a poor diet bring on extra acid that irritate the sores in the stomach lining.
I would try some of the home remedies first. Then, if they don't work well, go to your doctor.
The goal here is to heal up the stomach sores. Just making the pain go away for a short time, is only treating the symptoms.
Most cases of stomach ulcers are caused by too much acid in the stomach. But, what causes this excess acid? One cause is that people use aspirin and ibuprofen too often, and the lining of the stomach becomes irritated.
There are many home remedies for an ulcer. For example, diet is important. Don't drink too much alcohol, soda, coffee, or salt. Eating plenty of fiber, cabbage, ginger, green vegetables and fruit can help.
Don't forget to live a calmer life. Often, the more stress you have, the more stomach acid is produced.
Many people I know take prescribed medicine for ulcers, especially when home remedies don't seem to work. Be sure to report any side effects to your doctor.
The last resort is surgery, if your ulcer starts to bleed. I know of two people who had success with surgery, but the area took a long time to heal.
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