Ulcers, or open sores on the tissue or organ surface, commonly found in the oesophageal region, stomach and duodenum can cause severe abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Though not life-threatening, ulcers can cause serious damage and should not be ignored or left untreated. One of the popular treatments for ulcers is daily consumption of yogurt, which destroys the harmful bacteria in the stomach and thus cures and prevents ulcers. On the other hand, milk which is often recommended for treating ulcers should be avoided if you have stomach ulcers. Though milk provides a cooling effect initially, over the long run it leads to the stimulation of stomach acids and thus causes more pain later.
Apart from this, there are several popular home remedies to treat and prevent ulcers. The preventive method involves moderate consumption of everything so that no food or beverage irritates the ulcer. It is important not to overeat and to spread out your food intake over several small meals, allowing your body to digest the food properly and not build up too many gastric acids in the body. If you have ulcers, you should maintain a diet rich in fibres and proteins which help to protect the lining of the stomach. Do not increase your iron intake if you suffer from ulcers, because iron irritates the gastric tract and can cause pain. Apart from this you should avoid painkillers, since they are harsh on the lining of the stomach and can cause ulcers. You should also avoid smoking in order to speed up the healing process.
Home remedies for ulcers include bananas, which build a barrier between the stomach lining and the gastric acids, thus inhibiting the growth of ulcers. Garlic and red/purple coloured fruits such as plums and berries fight the acids that lead to the growth of ulcers in the abdomen. A tea prepared with ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper in 1 cup of hot water should be consumed daily till the ulcers are treated.
answered by G R