Natural cure for ulcer

Introduction

An ulcer is an open wound that appears usually in the stomach or small intestines. Even though this can cause great amounts of the pain, the condition can be treated easily. It is also a very common ailment, and one in every ten people will develop an ulcer at some point in their lives.

The location of the peptic ulcer will determine what it will be called. If it is in the stomach, then it is called a gastric ulcer and it is called a duodenal ulcer if it is located in the small intestine.

Another possible location for the ulcer is the esophagus, and naturally, it is then called an esophageal ulcer, which is usually linked closely with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Symptoms

The main symptom that comes with an ulcer is a sharp pain that will usually occur between the breastbone and the navel. It usually begins to hurt several hours after a person has eaten.

Although stomachaches are the most common symptoms, there are other ones that will follow.

Other symptoms include a loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, constant burping, and abnormal bowel movements.

Causes

Even though many people have stated that spicy foods and stress will cause ulcers, they are not the main cause, even though they are contributing factors.

The main cause of ulcers is the H. pylori bacterium. This bacterium reproduces within the mucous layer that covers the tissues that line the stomach and small intestine, and it is usually not harmful. However, when the mucous layer is disrupted, the lining of the stomach will become inflamed and this will result in an ulcer.

Contributing factors to the deterioration of the stomach lining are also unhealthy activities such as increased alcohol consumption, smoking and high levels of stress.

Natural treatments

There are many natural remedies for ulcers, however, and people do not have to rely solely on drugs and doctor prescriptions for treatment.

Licorice roots are good for treating ulcers. They contain anti-inflammatory agents that produce a substance that helps protect the lining of the stomach wall. When consuming these roots, the production of acid in the stomach is also reduced significantly, which will help to preserve the wall lining as well.

Licorice roots can be consumed by simply sucking the juice from the roots, though many make a tea out of the roots.

However, people who have high blood pressure should probably stay away from licorice roots.

Bananas are also good natural remedies because they will neutralize the acidity in the gastric juices and lessen the irritation of the stomach by coating the stomach lining.

Two bananas three or four times a day with a glass of milk each time is a strict recipe that has shown results for people with ulcer problems.

Lime, cabbage and milk are other natural products that will help protect the stomach from ulcers and help to also decrease the pain and irritation of an ulcer if it has already formed in the stomach or small intestines.