Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are the presence of a small hole or erosion in the gastrointestinal tract. When the ulcer forms inside the stomach, it is known as a gastric ulcer. Gastric ulcers are neither contagious nor are they cancerous. The condition is rather common and recent surveys have shown that they affect millions of Americans on a yearly basis. They vary in size ranging from 1/8 of an inch to as big as ¾ of an inch. The primary cause of the development of a peptic ulcer is the destruction of the lining of the stomach by some amount of hydraulic acid that is normally present in the stomach’s digestive juices. The condition will be significantly aggravated by an infection from a bacterium known as helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori for short). This bacterium is known to travel freely from one person to another by mediums such as contaminated food and water. As with a number of medical conditions, some people are more prone to the condition as a result of genetics where the condition has been handed down from one generation to another within the same bloodline. Psychological stress or even the excessive secretion of hydrochloric acids within the body plays a significant role in the worsening of the condition. Smoking, drinking alcohol and aging also contribute to placing certain individuals at a higher risk of being affected by the condition.
Pain around the stomach is the foremost symptom of suffering from a peptic ulcer. Sufferers state that the pain will come and go for a few days or weeks and will generally start a couple of hours after a meal. The pain may also become more prominent in the night when the stomach appears to be empty. Patients may also be seen to rapidly lose weight, lose their appetite as well as experience some amount of pain while eating.
When affected by stomach ulcers, it is very important to know the kinds of foods that you should avoid. Any food that has a high fat content should be seriously avoided. This includes foods like croissant rolls, any breads or crackers with seeds sprinkled over them, vegetables like broccoli, onions and cauliflower as well as sausages, sardines and anchovies. Instead, configure your diet to give your body a high amount of whole grains and cereal. Tortillas, rice and barley are very good for your system as are fresh fruits that have a low citrus content. With regards to meat and dairy, try limiting your intake to low fat or non fat milk while consuming lean meats like poultry, pork and ham.