Stomach Ulcers and Heartburn Natural Treatments
You would never think of tomatoes as being
bad for you, but if you have stomach ulcers, they can actually make them
worse. You'll truly be amazed at the other health foods you should
avoid to prevent acid reflux from occurring. Before we discuss 14
natural home remedies for them, let's take a closer look at the causes
and symptoms of stomach ulcers and heartburn:
What Are Stomach Ulcers?
Many people confuse peptic ulcers with heartburn, but they are far from
alike despite having similar symptoms. Ulcers consist of tiny open sores
that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and small intestine,
causing excruciating pain.
What Causes Stomach Ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori is the main bacterial infection that triggers
stomach ulcers. Helicobacter pylori develops from certain medications,
poor dietary lifestyle and stomach acid buildup.
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Stomach Ulcers?
The most common symptoms attributed to ulcers are burning pains that
begin at the top of your chest, eventually reaching your midriff. You
can also experience sharp pains that keep you awake at night. There are
also pains that occur two to three hours after eating, which may provoke
mild nausea. These pains generally go away after vomiting.
Food and Beverages to Avoid With Stomach Ulcers:
• Coffee - Coffee stimulates acid production and can cause severe
indigestion problems.
• Alcohol - Alcohol can irritate and erode the lining of the stomach
and small intestine, triggering ulcers.
• Spicy Foods - Certain peppers found in dishes, such as Mexican
chili, can trigger heartburn in a flash. Avoid spicy foods as much as
possible, because they stimulate acid reflux buildup and
gastrointestinal pains.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up in the esophagus and
eventually reaches your throat area. Heartburn is a very unpleasant
burning sensation that can truly leave a bad taste in your mouth. Almost
one in five Americans experiences it.
What Causes Heartburn?
The common cause of heartburn is a lower esophageal sphincter, or LES,
that doesn't contract regularly. Unhealthy foods are a major contributor
to heartburn, especially foods that are deep-fried or cooked in grease.
Overeating can also cause acid reflux, due to the excess amount of
pressure on the stomach.
What Are the Symptoms of Heartburn?
Symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux include a dry cough, a sore throat
that causes difficulty swallowing, an increased burning sensation after
digestion, and tasting acid or food in the back of your mouth. These
symptoms intensify the moment you lay down.
Foods and Beverages to Avoid with Acid Reflux:
Citrus Fruits - Citrus fruits might be
ideal for the common cold, but the acidity inside can cause heartburn,
particularly on an empty stomach.
• Garlic and Onions - Although both vegetables are essential for a
healthy dietary intake, they also wreck havoc on people suffering from
heartburn.
•
Carbonated Beverages - Carbonated beverages cause gastric
distension, leading to acid reflux and indigestion. It's best to stay
away from sodas and just drink mineral water instead.
7 Natural Treatments for Heartburn
1. Eating a Healthy Diet - There are many foods that are extremely good
for you, but bad for your heartburn. Some of these foods include ground
beef, sour cream, cottage cheese, onions, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Make sure you avoid fried or greasy foods to prevent heartburn from
occurring. Drink plenty of water between meals and skip the carbonated
beverages altogether.
2. Enzymes and Probiotics - Probiotics are often referred to as the
“good bacteria”, since they promote healthy digestion. Probiotics
minimize the growth of harmful bacteria and boost the immune system.
Probiotics are available in supplement form, and help combat acid
reflux. Take them together with hydrochloric acid or HCI enzyme
supplement for smooth digestion.
3. Aloe Vera Juice - Aloe Vera juice has been known to treat acid reflux
and other medical symptoms. It's advisable to drink a quarter of a cup
of Aloe Vera approximately 20 minutes before a meal, or whenever you
experience acid reflux. You can even mix Aloe Vera with tea or water if
you don't like the basic taste of it. Do not drink Aloe Vera juice if
you have diabetes, kidney failure or thyroid disease. Pregnant women and
children should also avoid it.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is used to treat stomach
acid buildup, as ironic as that may sound. The cider helps digestion by
breaking down fats, despite the acidity factor. Mix one or two teaspoons
of the apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and drink it before
meals, or whenever you feel an acid reflux attack coming on.
5. Baking Soda - A little baking soda is all it takes to alleviate your
acid reflux symptoms. You may not appreciate the bland taste, but you'll
feel much better afterward. Mix half a teaspoon (or even a full one) of
baking soda with a glass of water.
6. Black Salt - Heartburn is caused by an excess of acid being present
in your stomach. Luckily, black salt is full of alkaline minerals, as a
result of its exposure to high temperatures, which helps cancel out the
negative effects of your stomach’s acid production.
7. Belly Breathing - What belly breathing does is it helps the abdomen
expand and allows your diaphragm to move more and tighten around your
lungs, so you let more air out when you exhale, the effect is the same
in the opposite direction. This means that by practicing belly
breathing, you can help maintain the proper functioning of the LES,
preventing heartburn in the long term and dealing with the symptoms of
the condition in the short term.
Natural Treatments for Stomach Ulcers
1. Cabbage Juice - Cabbage is packed with
an abundance of natural anti-oxidant properties that help prevent
stomach ulcers. Cabbage contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K and
folate, all essential for treating acid reflux and fighting cancer.
2. Zinc Carnosine - Zinc-Carnosine is used to treat stomach ulcers and
other gastrointestinal problems. The function of the Zinc-Carnosine is
to repair damaged tissues and heal ulcer wounds.
Recommended Dosage: Use for eight weeks, with a daily dose of 75mg in
divided doses.
3. Probiotics - Probiotics improve intestinal functions and help fend
off Helicobacter pylori. They are also used to prevent other gastric
disorders, such as diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease, from
occurring.
Recommended Dosage: Take a probiotic of 1 to 2 million CFUs daily.
4. Glutamine - Glutamine significantly reduces the amount of
inflammation brought on by a Helicobacter pylori infection. Glutamine
supplements can be purchased at any local health store.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 grams of glutamine daily for stomach ulcers.
5. Ginger Root - Ginger limits the harmful helicobacter pylori from
acting up. Add several slices of fresh ginger roots to hot water, and
drink the ginger mixture approximately 20 minutes or so before each meal
for a quick soothing remedy.
6. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Powder (DGL) - DGL can work wonders for
peptic ulcers. They protect the inner lining of your small intestine and
stomach.
Recommended Dosage: Suggested dose is 200 to 400 mg daily dissolved in
200 ml warm water.
7. Astaxanthin - These powerful antioxidants help protect the
gastrointestinal or GI tract and reduce symptoms of acid reflux. The
free radical scavenging activity of astaxanthin also combats against
Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection.