Stomach Ulcers
Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items
The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.
The difference between heartburn and a stomach ulcer
The location of the pain / discomfort felt is key in differentiating a heartburn from the more serious stomach ulcer.
- Ulcer pain tends to occur in the abdominal area -- especially just above the belly button.
- Heartburn - or the more serious form of heartburn: GERD - causes pain in in the chest and throat.
- Eating makes stomach ulcers feel better; but worsens heartburn or GERD symptoms.
Cause of Stomach Ulcer:
Formerly, stress, fatty foods and smoking were blamed by scientists for causing ulcers. (For tips to stop smoking, please click here.) Now research indicates that the real culprit may be bacterial infection. Since antibiotics are typically prescribed for relief - and resistance to them can mean several rounds of drugs to completely destroy the ulcer-causing bacteria - new research favors a sweeter solution: Manuka Honey.
- "Manuka Honey is the only kind that retains its bacteria-fighting power when ingested," says Peter Molan, Ph.D., Director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato on the New Zealand's North Island. It also soothes the pain from ulcers and stimulates the growth of cells to repair damaged tissue.
- Manuka Honey works for non-bacterial ulcers as well; the kind that is caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol and stress, and may alleviate mild to severe stomach pain due to inflammation following meals.
- For existing ulcers, take one heaping spoonful of the honey on an empty stomach while symptoms persist.
- For prevention, take a spoonful 30 minutes prior to taking any NSAID and before meals.
- However, because of Manuka Honey's 80% sugar content, diabetics and those with insulin sensitivities should talk to their healthcare provider before following this protocol.
- Manuka Honey works for non-bacterial ulcers as well; the kind that is caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol and stress, and may alleviate mild to severe stomach pain due to inflammation following meals.
- Olive Oil: Research suggests that polyphenols in olive oil may inhibit the bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. The ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter (H.) pylori is tough enough to survive the acidity of people’s stomachs; and adding to the problem is that antibody- resistant strains of H. pylori are now found worldwide. Fortunately, the polyphenols in olive oil showed tremendous potential in the treatment of stomach ulcers. Not only could they withstand the harsh gastric juices of the stomach, but they also seemed to kill off H. pylori pretty handily -- even the antibiotic-resistant strains.
- The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
- Vitamin C & Rebamipide:
In a recent study, researchers took people with age-related hearing loss and tested their hearing at various frequencies. They then gave patients 600 mg a day of vitamin C and 300 mg of the ulcer drug rebamipide. Result: in just 8 weeks, every single patient was able to hear better in the frequencies between 125 and 800 Hz. These frequencies are well within the range of human voice. The drug rebamipide is chemicaly similar to antioxidant compounds called quinolones. In fact, the reason it works against ulcers is that it protects the stomach from free radicals that are produced b the H pylori infection, which causes ulcers.
At this point, rebamipide is not available at pharmacies in the U.S. However, one can buy it legally from mail order sources, as long as you get a prescription from a qualified doctor. (Source: "Second Opinion" Magazine, Winter 2008 Special Issue)
Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
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