The main causes of peptic ulcers are hyper-acidity, excessive intake of alcohol, overeating, high intake of spicy foods, high intake of coffee, smoking and presence of helicobacter pylori (H. pylori for short), a bacteria that weakens the protective coating of the stomach and intestine. The symptoms of ulcer include sharp and severe pain, nausea, vomiting and a discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen. Here are some tips to spare you from such condition.

Avoid an empty stomach.
Leaving your stomach unfilled will increase the secretion of gastric juices. Hypersecretion results to an acidic environment that triggers ulcer.

Watch what you eat.
Highly spiced and fried foods, long thought to be prime culprits in activating ulcers. Although they are now considered to have little bearing on either the development or course of such occurrence, it is still important for us to care about what we eat.

Increase fiber in your diet.
It is advisable for people with ulcers to eat unrefined foods rich in fiber as much as possible. Be aware that a diet rich in highly processed grains (such as white flour) deprives the body of fiber and protein, which can shield the digestive lining from stomach acid. Some high-fiber foods include spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts.

Avoid alcoholic beverages.
The question of the effects of alcohol on the formation of the ulcer remains unanswered. Many medical experts believe that people who drink heavily are at greater risk of developing stomach ulcers than non alcoholics.

Stop cigarette smoking.
It is believed that smoking increases stomach-acid secretion. Clinical theories say it inhibits the secretion of prostaglandins and sodium bicarbonate, substances that are naturally produced by the body that typically help protect the stomach lining. Smoking is thought to decrease blood circulation to the stomach lining, which may negatively affect the lining’s ability to heal. Statistics also show that smokers’ relapse rate is higher than normal.

Don’t stress yourself out.
Work on ways to effectively control, if not eliminate stress. Take a stress-management course. You may choose to meditate, do yoga, or take a good sleep. Stress is believed to cause hypersecretion of acid materials in the stomach.

Seek medical advice.
Consult your doctor before taking antacids for a long period of time. If you find yourself needing to take more and more of an antacid to get relief from stomach pain, contact your doctor. Without a doctor’s supervision, you may over-medicate.

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