Ulcer is now frustratingly everywhere I go that I became scared I'll suffer from it. So I went on a research on what ulcer really is. Ulcer is really nothing like it is painted to be especially in this part of the world. One thing I discovered was that you could develop two forms of Ulcer; The Mouth Ulcer and The Stomach or Peptic Ulcer. "Mouth Ulcer? But the myth is if you don't eat well, you'll develop ulcer and it is the stomach that hurts eating constantly after you've developed it so how can ulcer occur in the mouth then?!" Well, you would understand better if you let me define the word 'Ulcer' to you. Ulcer can simply be defined as a wound or an open sore that on the lining of a body organ. So you see, you can get wounded in the mouth!
Let's take the two forms of Ulcer individually for legibility and sound understanding.
Mouth Ulcer [I]Mouth ulcers are painful round or oval sores that form in the mouth, most often on the inside of the cheeks or lips.[/i]
Mouth ulcers are in yoruba 'ma jata' am sorry I couldn't get the ibo or other language translation. They are the inflammations you feel on the inside of your cheeks when you bite yourself mistakenly(when her or mumsy's food is so delicious you just wanna chew heartily) from chewing gum or food. They are harmless(except for the inability to finish that efo or edika ikong soup staring at you) and should heal up without medicine. But if yours don't heal after 3 weeks or you get them constantly there are two things involved! Seek your doctor.
Stomach Ulcers This is the 'cause celebré'. Remember Mouth Ulcer is a sore in the mouth or on the lips now deduce what stomach ulcer is. Yes! Yes! A wound in the stomach! An open sore on the lining of your stomach!! I know many are thinking "ha my food has been leaking!" Buhahaha I can't say,I guess it hasn't but its negative implication is equally alarming. Now let's be a little a formal and technical:
Ulcers can also occur in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach – these are known as duodenal ulcers. Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are sometimes referred to as peptic ulcers. Here the term “stomach ulcer” will be used, although the information applies equally to duodenal ulcers.
Signs and symptoms The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen (tummy). However, stomach ulcers aren't always painful and some people may experience other symptoms, such as indigestion, heartburn and feeling sick.
When to seek medical advice
You should visit your GP if you think you may have a stomach ulcer. Seek urgent medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms: vomiting blood – the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse These could be a sign of a serious complication, such as internal bleeding
What causes stomach ulcers?
Stomach ulcers occur when the layer that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, which allows the stomach lining to become damaged. This is usually a result of : 1) An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria 2) Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin – particularly if they're taken for a long time or at high doses It used to be thought that stress or certain foods or not eating frequently can cause it, might cause stomach ulcers, but there's little evidence to suggest this is the case.
Who is affected
It's not known how many people have stomach ulcers, although they're thought to be quite common. Some studies have found that around 1 in 10 people may get a stomach ulcer at some point in their life.
Stomach ulcers can affect people of any age, including children, but mostly occur in people aged 60 or over. Men are more commonly affected than women.
How stomach ulcers are treated
Some people say eating regularly can cure ulcer. This is not true. You'll only become Obese and still have Ulcer. though there may be exceptions.
With treatment, most stomach ulcers will heal within a month or two. The treatment recommended for you will depend on what caused the ulcer.
•Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the amount of acid their stomach produces, and allow the ulcer to heal naturally.
•If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.
•If the ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and your doctor will discuss whether you should keep using NSAIDs. Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, may be recommended. Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.
Are there Natural Remedies? Yes thank God there are natural remedies for ulcer, and they are listed below.
1. Flavonoids Research suggests that flavonoids may be an effective treatment for stomach ulcers. Flavonoids are compounds that occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Foods and drinks rich in flavonoids include soybeans, legumes, red grapes, kale broccoli, apples, berries, and teas, especially green tea. However, some foods and drinks that contain flavonoids — such as citrus fruits and red wines — are also high in acidity, which can irritate a stomach ulcer.
2. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Don’t let that long first word throw you: deglycyrrhizinated licorice is natural. Research shows that licorice (with the sweet part, glycyrrhizin, removed) may help ulcers heal, although other studies show more mixed results. Talk to your doctor to see if deglycyrrhizinated licorice might be right for you.
A Healthy Diet
Some foods can make ulcers worse, such as fried foods. Besides momentarily irritating your stomach sore, fatty foods produce obesity, which can dampen your immune system. When your body is fighting an infection, it needs to be at the top of its game.
A diet centered on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is not just good for your overall health. According to Mayo Clinic, a vitamin-rich diet can help your body heal your ulcer. Major culprits that can make your stomach ulcer worse include: coffee, including decaf carbonated beverages spicy food high-sugar foods processed foods salty red meats
**No Booze, No Milk**
If you’ve ever had a hangover, you know the effects that alcohol can have on your stomach. It also contributes to stomach ulcers and can make existing ones worse. If a drink or two after work is how you unwind, you might want to consider a healthy, less damaging alternative, such as working on next summer’s beach body.
Milk’s ability to coat the side of a glass may have you thinking that it also creates a protective barrier in your stomach. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Calcium is one mineral that increases the production of stomach acid, which can make things worse.
**Healthy Lungs and Body**
Meditation isn’t like “the Force” from “Star Wars,” so unfortunately, meditating on your stomach ulcer won’t make it disappear. But stress is a major contributing factor to a stomach ulcer, so taking care of your mental health can take the pressure off your ulcer. Regular exercise can also help combat the effects of stress, as well as keep your body running at top gear to take care of itself. Thirty minutes a day of sweat-inducing exercise is all it takes.
Of all the reasons to quit smoking, helping your ulcer could be the easiest to stomach! Smoking kicks stomach acid into high gear, which only exasperates the ulcer and the pain for its sufferer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of quitting smoking and the best options to get you started.
Possible complications
Complications of stomach ulcers are relatively uncommon, but they can be very serious and potentially life-threatening. The main complications include: bleeding at the site of the ulcer the stomach lining at the site of the ulcer splitting open – known as perforation the ulcer blocking the movement of food through the digestive system – known as gastric obstruction
Be Vigilant Stomach ulcers don’t stop at abdominal pain. If left untreated, they can create a hole in the stomach, which requires surgery. On rare occasions, ulcers might signal larger problems, like cancer.
Hope you have learnt a thing about Ulcer! Wishing you a safe recovery.
Cc: lalasticlala
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