Can You Heal Ulcers With Diet?

If you have ever experienced the pain and discomfort of an ulcer you know try agony. Ulcers in any part of the body produce a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort. One of the most common locations for ulcers to develop is in the stomach. The stomach is an organ that experiences an influx of acid constantly. These environments are ideal for ulcers and can cause painful wounds to develop in the stomach lining.

What Are Stomach Ulcers?

Gastric ulcers also known as stomach ulcers show up the stomach lining and are considered a type of peptic ulcer disease. They may affect either the stomach or small intestine or both. In most people mucus coats their stomach and intestinal walls. With people who develop stomach ulcers that mucus is often very thin. The reduced volume of mucus leaves the stomach lining at risk for developing these gastric ulcers.

What Are Stomach Ulcer Symptoms?

Stomach ulcers range in levels of severity depending on location, size, and depth of ulcer. Most people complain about feeling a burning sensation in their abdomen when they have not eaten for a while.

Pain in the Stomach
Bloating
Burping
Acid Reflux
Weight Loss
Heartburn
Vomiting(possibly with blood or coffee ground like vomit)
Dark Stools
Nausea
Anemia
Loss of appetite from pain

In most cases the decrease in mucus and the development of a stomach ulcer occurs because there is an infection with bacterium helicobacter pylori. An H. pylori bacteria infection develops in the digestive tract for many years. These infections often lead to ulcers and damage to your stomach and small intestine. Frequent use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin overtime can also result in similar issues.

There are also patients who suffer with ulcers that have a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is an illness where patient’s develop gastrinomas in the pancreas or duodenum. Gastrinomas are tumors that cause your stomach to overproduce stomach acid that causes health complications like diarrhea, ulcers, and reflux.

Can You Heal Ulcers With Diet?

Without proper treatment, a stomach ulcer can become very severe. Making dietary modifications can help heal your stomach ulcers. There are foods you can incorporate into your diet that are beneficial at repairing the stomach lining and healing the body. Anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables help the body recover quicker and improve your gut health overall. Foods that are beneficial to help heal ulcer are:

Broccoli
Dark Leafy Greens
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Radishes
Apples
Blueberries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Cherries
Garlic
Turmeric
Probiotic rich foods
Fermented products
Honey

Foods to Avoid

Alcohol
Pepper
Caffeine
Fatty Foods
Tea with tannins
Coffee
Peppermint
Salty foods
Spearmint
Chocolate
Tomatoes
Processed Foods
Gluten
Dairy
Fruit Juices
Fried Foods

The benefits of changing your diet are endless. You will not only heal your stomach ulcer but feel more full of energy and healthier overall. Your body was designed to repair itself and when it is overburdened with the amount of work it is combating all throughout your body and you are not giving it the nourishment it requires, deficiencies occur. Your body needs proper nutrients to repair itself as it was designed to. Eating food that nourishes the gut lining and promotes gut health will give your digestive system what it needs to repair itself.

Contact Us Today

At The Gut Authority, Dr. Mashner specializes in holistic health and Functional Medicine. His approach to gut health and wellness helps support the body so the patient can heal themselves. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you reach your health goals to live fully. The Gut Authority serves all residents of Gulf Shores, Alabama and surrounding areas. Give their office a call today!