Gastric/Peptic Ulcer

Gastric/Peptic Ulcer

Do you suffer from frequent attacks of acidity? Are you troubled by relentless discomfort after a heavy spicy meal? If spicy foods, alcohol consumption, overeating, drinking tea coffee and smoking leaves a person writhing in stomach pain and agony then it may be because of ulcers! The stomach is exposed to digestive juices all the time. The stomach lining is a thick and fleshy mucus coating that acts as a protective layer against harsh digestive juices. But in case this inside layer reduces and the tissues in the stomach lining are exposed to these acidic juices constantly, it can lead to stomach, peptic or gastric ulcers.

Stomach or gastric Ulcers can cause severe and sharp pain in the abdominal region. Depending on the area of the body they are found in, ulcers are of three kinds:

Peptic Ulcers: or ulcers that are found in the stomach and intestine.
Duodenal Ulcer: The duodenal ulcers are near the duodenum or at the tip of the intestine.
Oesophageal Ulcer: The oesophageal ulcer develops in the oesophagus or its surrounding area.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD), is a break in the lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or occasionally the lower esophagus.An ulcer in the stomach is known as a gastric ulcer while that in the first part of the intestines is known as a duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper abdominal pain or upper abdominal pain that improves with eating.With a gastric ulcer, the pain may worsen with eating. The pain is often described as a burning or dull ache.

Ayurvedic Solutions of Ulcer:

1. The first and most important step is to absolutely stay away from hot, oily and spicy food. Only mild and healthy food should be consumed as they are easy to digest.
2. Alcohol and tobacco must be completely cut out.
3.Hydration: It is important to drink sufficient amount of water
4. Foods that contain flavonoids can be extremely beneficial for those suffering from peptic ulcers. These include soybeans, legumes, apples, red grapes, green tea, broccoli, kale, different kinds of berries, etc. However, it is important to intake flavonoid-containing foods such as citrus fruits and red wine can irritate the ulcer.
5. Foods containing probiotics are also beneficial. Some foods rich in probiotics are buttermilk, yoghurt, kimchi, etc.
6. Some more foods that are extremely good for ulcer patients are yashtimadhu or Indian liquorice, honey, garlic, cranberries, blueberries, black olives, dried rosemary and oregano, dark chocolate, bananas, coconut, fenugreek, chamomile or dandelion tea, carrot juice and mastic.
7.Control the use of medicines and painkillers like naproxen, aspirin and ibuprofen along with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
8. Maintaining a good sleep routine and also avoiding stress and anger
9. Washing hands frequently
10.Healthy lifestyle and practising yoga. Some of the best yoga poses are Padmasana, Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, Pawanmuktasana and Paschimothana Asana.
11.Drinking plain cold milk or water can help in reducing the pain caused by ulcers.

The aim of these treatments is to inhibit the production of acid in the stomach. Thus, Ayurveda recommends a holistic approach to the treatment of ulcer which includes food, stress management, sleep and exercise.