Conditions and Diseases ULCER It is estimated that ten percent of the population will have an ulcer at one time or another. A duodenal ulcer is located at the beginning of the small intestines (duodenum). A gastric ulcer is located in the stomach. Duodenal ulcers are three times more common. Signs and symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen. The pain can wake a person up at night. Eating may relieve the pain only to have it come back in about one hour. If it is bleeding, it may cause anemia. The stomach secretes acid for digestion and sterilization. Some ulcers have too much acid, while other ulcers do not have enough. The stomach also secretes a mucus layer that forms a protective coat that insulates the stomach from the acid. Aspirin, Tylenol, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories break down the mucus layer causing the stomach to literally digest itself away. Smoking tends to cause reflux or bile from the duodenum into the stomach. This is very irritating to the stomach. Smoking also decreases the secretion of bicarbonate and accelerates dumping of food from the stomach to the duodenum. These all can cause ulcers. Food allergies also have been associated with peptic ulcers. The response to stress seemed also to have something to do with ulcers. All people respond differently to stress, and these people tend to overreact. Bacteria known as H. pylori infection is now considered a major cause of ulcer. Therefore, antibiotics are usually recommended along with natural care. Ulcers have a tendency to come back, and it is because of this that natural medicine is recommended. Natural medicine's goal is to normalize the acid production, protect the lining against ulcer formation by increasing production of mucus formation. Healing time for an ulcer can take up to 16 weeks depending upon the degree of ulceration. A perforated ulcer is an emergency situation. Lab Biopsy can be done to determine an ulcer. Blood can be done to check for antibodies to H. pylori. Self-test to see if acid is being produced: Tablespoon of lemon cider vinegar while having pain. If pain increases, probably too much acid. If pain gets better, probably not enough. Barium enema: This is swallowing enema and then taking an x-ray to see if there is an ulcer. Herbs and Vitamins Licorice deglycyrrhizinated: Several studies have shown licorice as effective as Tagamet and Zantac without some of the side effects. Dosage is 750 mg to 1.5 grams three times a day, twenty minutes before the meal. These need to mix with the saliva to be effective. Therefore, you need to chew these supplements. Glutamine: 500 mgs three times a day along with Vitamin C 500 mg three times a day. Vitamin A: 500 iUs per day. Vitamin E: 100 iUs three times per day. Rhubarb and aloe vera for cases of bleeding: They act as an astringent or dry out the wound. Of course, a multimineral vitamin to promote healing with zinc 20 - 30 mg per day. Flavonoids 500 mgs three times per day. Raw cabbage juice has shown to be very effective in several studies. It contains glutamine. Self-Help Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen. No smoking. Smoking has been shown to cause ulcers in three ways. Smoking is also associated with more severe cases of ulcers. Reduce stress or develop stress reduction programs like Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, etc. Increase fiber in the diet. You might want to wait until after the ulcer heals, and you will want to ask your doctor about that.

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