Stomach Ulcers: What is the Best Way to Manage Them and Help Your Body Heal?

Dealing with a stomach ulcer can be a very painful and unpleasant experience. Discovering the root cause is the best way to figure out how to resolve the issue. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to temporarily quell symptoms while you work on the root cause. Working with one of our providers at The Gut Authority can help you on your journey to better health.

Stomach Ulcer Causes

There are different causes of stomach ulcers, and working with a qualified healthcare practitioner can help you figure out what is the most likely cause of yours.  Certain medications, foods you may be eating, bacterial overgrowth, and even stress and anxiety can cause people to develope stomach ulcers. Once you discover what is causing yours, you can work on resolving the ulcer. 

Typical Stomach Ulcer Treatment

When you visit a western medicine doctor, the typical treatment for a stomach ulcer is to put the patient on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Proton pump inhibitors stop the stomach from producing as much hydrochloric acid. In theory, it sounds like a great idea, but more research is showing that it’s actually “not enough” rather than ” too much” stomach acid that is causing issues like acid reflux and other digestive problems. By taking proton pump inhibitors, the problem may actually be made worse over the long term. 

H. Pylori Can Cause Stomach Ulcers

Sometimes an overgrowth of a bacteria called helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) can be the root cause of stomach ulcers. Typical medical treatment for this includes a combination of bismuth subsalicylate, a proton pump inhibitor, and antibiotics. Unfortunately, a lot of the time this treatment doesn’t work as well as doctors hoped and the patient suffers from damage to their gut flora from antibiotics. A functional medicine doctor can help you implement a nutritional plan that includes herbs and other effective options to help restore and rebalance the normal gut bacteria and manage the bacterial balance without causing further damage to your microbiome.

Diet for Stomach Ulcers 

When your stomach is irritated, it’s best to avoid spicy, fried, and processed foods. It’s best to consume more whole, organic foods and follow a diet that includes various meat, vegetables, and fruits. Chicken or beef stock can be helpful for healing the gut, as it contains copious amounts of gut-healing gelatin. Foods rich in antioxidants can also be very helpful, and fermented foods can also naturally help replenish good bacteria. 

Supplements for Stomach Ulcers

Taking certain supplements can be helpful to help manage the symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Unlike the most common traditional stomach ulcer treatments that can come with unwanted side effects, natural treatments are generally more gentle and come with less side effects. Some of the most important supplements you can take for a stomach ulcer include: 

• Deglycyrrhizinated licorice. DGL may help the stomach produce more mucus, providing a layer of protection for the ulcer. It is available in different forms, including chewable tablets, capsules, and liquid supplements.
• Mastic gum. Mastic gum is harvested as the resin of a tree, and has been used for many years to aid in digestion. Mastic gum is most commonly used in tablet or capsule form. 
• Probiotics. A probiotic supplement can be very helpful in balancing the gut microbiome. Various strains of certain types of bacteria can be used to treat certain health conditions. Taking a good quality probiotic that addresses your specific needs can help the body replenish its good bacteria. 

Call Us Today for Help with Your Stomach Ulcer 

If you’ve been dealing with the symptoms of a stomach ulcer, give The Gut Authority a call to schedule an appointment to discuss your options. Our office is located in the Daphne, AL area and we love serving our neighbors in the Gulf Shores and Pensacola area as well. Don’t suffer a moment longer!