Peptic Ulcer refers to an eroded
lesion in the gastric intestinal
mucosa. An ulcer may form in any
part of the digestive tract which is exposed to acid gastric juice, but is usually found in the
stomach and the duodenum. The ulcer located in the stomach is known as gastric ulcer and that
located in the duodenum is called a deudenal ulcer. Usually both are grouped together and
termed
peptic ulcer.
Symptoms
The most common
symptoms of
peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the
upper central abdomen. The pain is commonly described as burning or gnawing in character.
Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals, but rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pan
usually occurs between meals when the stomach is empty and is relieved by food, especially
milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets the sufferer out of bed between 2 and 4 a.m.
As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence,
besides mental tension,
insomnia and a gradual weakening of the body. It may also cause
constipation with occasional blood in the stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is
anaemia.
Causes
Peptic ulcers result from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an increase in hydrochloric
acid in the stomach. This strong acid, secreted by the cells lining the stomach, affects much of
the breakdown of food. It can be potentially dangerous and, under certain circumstances, it may
eat its way through the lining of the stomach or duodenum producing, first, irritation of the
stomach wall and eventually an ulcer.
Dietetic indiscretion, like overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee,
alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. The ingestion of certain
drugs, particularly aspirin, food poisoning, infections like
influenza and septicaemia and
gout
may also cause ulcers. Emotional
stress or nervous tension also plays a major role in the
formation of ulcers.
Treatment
Diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of ulcer. The diet should be so arranged as to
provide adequate nutrition to afford rest to the disturbed organs, to maintain continuous
neutralisation of the gastric acid, to inhibit production of acid and to reduce mechanical and
chemical irritation. Milk, cream, butter, fruits, and fresh, raw and boiled vegetables, natural foods
and natural vitamin supplements are the best diet for an ulcer patient.
The most effective remedy for peptic ulcers is bananas. They are said to contain an unidentified
compound called, perhaps jokingly, vitamin U (against ulcers). Bananas neutralises the over
acidity of the gastric juices and reduces the irritation of the ulcer by quoting the lining of the
stomach. Banana and milk are considered an ideal diet for the patients who are in an advanced
state of the disease.
Almond milk made from blanched almonds in a blender is very beneficial as it binds the excess
of acid in the stomach and supplies high quality
proteins. Raw goat's milk is also highly
beneficial. It actually helps to heal
peptic ulcer.
Cabbage is regarded as another useful home remedy for peptic ulcers. Cabbage is boiled in
water. This water is allowed to cool and taken twice daily. The leaves of kalyana murangal tree,
which is a variety of drumstick found in South India, have also proved helpful in the healing of
the ulcers. The leaves of this tree are ground into a paste and taken mixed with yogurt daily.
Raw vegetables juices, particularly carrot and cabbage juices are beneficial in the treatment of
the peptic ulcers. Carrot juice may be taken either alone or in combination with spinach or beat
and cucumber. The formula proportions in the case of the first combination are 300 ml. of carrots
and 200 ml. of spinach and in case of the second combination, 300 ml. of carrots and three
ounces each of beets and cucumber to make half a litre of juice.
The observance of certain rules by an ulcer patient with regard to eating habits are essential. He
should never eat when tired or emotionally upset, nor when he is not hungry even if it is meal
time, nor when his mouth is dry. He should chew every morsel thoroughly. He should eat only
natural foods and take food in as dry a form as possible. Meals must be small and frequent. All
foods and drinks which are either too hot or too cold should be avoided.
The ulcer patient should drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day. However, he should not
drink water during or with meals, but only half an hour before or one hour after he has eaten. He
should bathe, preferably in cold water, twice daily. Alternate hot and cold hip baths for 10 to 15
minutes and a mud pack applied over the lower abdominal for half an hour daily will help the
ulcers to heal. The hip bath or the mud pack should be taken on an empty stomach and should
be followed by a walk. In case of haemorrhage in the stomach, a rectal enema should beadministered four times daily with water temperature at 110 to 115 o F. In case of abdominal orstomach pain, hot pack should be placed on the abdomen with water temperature at 120 o F. A
hot pack should also be placed between the shoulder blades.
Daily massages and deep breathing exercises also help. Above all, the patient must try to rid
himself of worries and stay cheerful. He should also cultivate regularity in his habit - be it work,
exercise or rest. Asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of hyperacidity and ulcers are
vajrasana, uttanpadasana, pawanmuktasana, bhujasana, paschimottanasana. Yogic kriyas like
jalneti and pranayamas like anuloma-viloma , shitali and sitkari are also beneficial.
Hyperacidity does not appear suddenly ; it develops gradually and its cure is also a gradual
process. The patient should not lose patience but must continue the regimen suggested ; this
will help him get relief from his ailment.