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Duodenum is a small lining that connects the stomach to the small intestine. When this lining gets inflamed or eroded it causes the condition known as duodenal ulcer (DU). Duodenal Ulcers are located in the duodenum tract. This type of an ulcer is three times more frequent in comparison to gastric ulcer. It has been said that this ulcer is caused mainly due to too much acid from the stomach. But studies have shown that is not the case. Duodenum surface and tissue is protected by the use of chemicals and mucus produced by duodenum. Duodenum ulcer occurs when this protection breaks due to the acid.

This ulcer is also caused by an infection with a bacterium called H. pylori. This bacterium affects the lining of the duodenum which makes way for the acid to cause inflammation and ulcers. The anti-inflammatory medicines also cause duodenal ulcers. Medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac including many others taken for arthritis, muscular pain are another reason for this problem. One of the rare causes is the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome which creates too much acid in the stomach causing duodenal ulcer.

Some of the common symptoms of duodenal ulcers are pain caused in the upper abdomen, mostly occurring before the meals or if you are going through one of the hungry pangs. The pain subsides once you eat your food or take antacid medicines. Other signs are bloating, barfing and feeling sick. Over eating can complicate things further by causing more pain. This problem can take a turn for worse when there is bleeding from the ulcer or when the ulcer penetrates the duodenum wall causing pain and need for doctors help.

Home Remedies

• Mix one dessertspoon of slippery elm bark powder in cold chamomile tea. Drink this everyday for next 12 weeks. Slippery Elm provides a protective lining to the mucosal lining of the gastro intestinal system. This 12-week program would heal any kind of infection.
• Make a mixture by using agrimony, chamomile, dandelion, gentian, rue, and uva ursi with Bach Flower Remedies Willow (found at your local chemist shop) and vine. One should have 20 drops of this mixture three times a day continuously followed by a cup of Dandelion Tea.
• Quit smoking and drinking as it increases your chances to develop ulcers.
• Avoid stress as it affects all parts of your life which in turn results in ulcers.
• You can have a tablet form of licorice root which helps to remove acid but may raise your blood pressure.
• Drink chamomile tea to minimize the duodenal ulcer effect.
• Reduce your fatty food intake as well as caffeinated drinks like coke and coffee.
• Foods which are high in soluble fiber such as oat bran, barely, seed husks, flaxseed, lentils, peas, soymilk, soy products, carrots, beans and many more are very effective in reducing the risk of duodenal ulcer.
• Increase your vitamin A intake by consuming fruits and vegetables like Tomatoes, Cantaloupes, Watermelon, Peaches, Kiwi, Oranges, and Blackberries to lower the risk of duodenal ulcer.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.