Ulcer is now frustratingly everywhere I go that I became scared I'll suffer from it. So I went on a research on what ulcer really is.
 Ulcer is really nothing like it is painted to be especially in this part of the world. One thing I discovered was that you could develop two forms of Ulcer; The Mouth Ulcer and The Stomach or Peptic Ulcer.
"Mouth Ulcer? But the myth is if you don't eat well, you'll develop ulcer and it is the stomach that hurts eating constantly after you've developed it so how can ulcer occur in the mouth then?!"
Well, you would understand better if you let me define the word 'Ulcer' to you. Ulcer can simply be defined as a wound or an open sore that on the lining of a body organ. So you see, you can get wounded in the mouth!
Let's take the two forms of Ulcer individually for legibility and sound understanding.
Mouth Ulcer
[I]Mouth ulcers are painful round or oval sores that form in the mouth, most often on the inside of the cheeks or lips.[/i]
Mouth ulcers are in yoruba 'ma jata' am sorry I couldn't get the ibo or other language translation. They are the inflammations you feel on the inside of your cheeks when you bite yourself mistakenly(when her or mumsy's food is so delicious you just wanna chew heartily) from chewing gum or food. They are harmless(except for the inability to finish that efo or edika ikong soup staring at you) and should heal up without medicine. But if yours don't heal after 3 weeks or you get them constantly there are two things involved! Seek your doctor.
Stomach Ulcers
This is the 'cause celebré'. Remember Mouth Ulcer is a sore in the mouth or on the lips now deduce what stomach ulcer is. Yes! Yes! A wound in the stomach! An open sore on the lining of your stomach!! I know many are thinking "ha my food has been leaking!" Buhahaha  I can't say,I guess it hasn't but its negative implication is equally alarming. Now let's be a little a formal and technical:
Ulcers can also occur in part of the
intestine just beyond the stomach –
these are known as duodenal ulcers.
Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are
sometimes referred to as peptic ulcers.
Here the term “stomach ulcer” will be
used, although the information applies
equally to duodenal ulcers.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptom of a stomach
ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the
centre of the abdomen (tummy).
However, stomach ulcers aren't always
painful and some people may experience
other symptoms, such
as indigestion, heartburn and feeling sick.
When to seek medical advice
You should visit your GP if you think you
may have a stomach ulcer.
Seek urgent medical advice if you
experience any of the following symptoms:
vomiting blood – the blood can appear
bright red or have a dark brown, grainy
appearance, similar to coffee grounds
passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that
gets steadily worse
These could be a sign of a serious
complication, such as internal bleeding
What causes stomach ulcers?
Stomach ulcers occur when the layer that
protects the stomach lining from stomach
acid breaks down, which allows the
stomach lining to become damaged.
This is usually a result of :
1) An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori) bacteria
2) Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
or aspirin – particularly if they're taken for
a long time or at high doses
It used to be thought that stress or certain
foods or not eating frequently can cause it, might cause stomach ulcers, but there's little evidence to suggest this is the case.
Who is affected
It's not known how many people have
stomach ulcers, although they're thought
to be quite common. Some studies
have found that around 1 in 10
people may get a stomach ulcer at some point in their life.
Stomach ulcers can affect people of any
age, including children, but mostly occur in
people aged 60 or over. Men are more
commonly affected than women.
How stomach ulcers are treated
Some people say eating regularly can
cure ulcer. This is not true. You'll only
become Obese and still have Ulcer.
though there may be exceptions.
With treatment, most stomach ulcers will
heal within a month or two. The treatment
recommended for you will depend on
what caused the ulcer.
•Most people will be prescribed a
medication called a proton pump
inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the amount of acid
their stomach produces, and allow the
ulcer to heal naturally.
•If an H. pylori infection is responsible for
the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to
kill the bacteria, which should prevent the
ulcer coming back.
•If the ulcers are caused by the use of
NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and
your doctor will discuss whether you
should keep using NSAIDs.
Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such
as paracetamol, may be recommended.
Stomach ulcers can come back after
treatment, although this is less likely to
happen if the underlying cause is
addressed.
Are there Natural Remedies?
Yes thank God there are natural remedies for ulcer, and
they are listed below.
1. Flavonoids
Research suggests that flavonoids may be an
effective treatment for stomach ulcers.
Flavonoids are compounds that occur naturally
in many fruits and vegetables.
Foods and drinks rich in flavonoids include
soybeans, legumes, red grapes, kale broccoli,
apples, berries, and teas, especially green tea.
However, some foods and drinks that contain
flavonoids — such as citrus fruits and red wines
— are also high in acidity, which can irritate a
stomach ulcer.
2. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Don’t let that long first word throw you:
deglycyrrhizinated licorice is natural. Research
shows that licorice (with the sweet part,
glycyrrhizin, removed) may help ulcers heal,
although other studies show more mixed
results.
Talk to your doctor to see if deglycyrrhizinated
licorice might be right for you.
A Healthy Diet
Some foods can make ulcers worse, such as fried foods. Besides momentarily irritating your stomach sore, fatty foods produce obesity,
which can dampen your immune system. When your body is fighting an infection, it needs to be at the top of its game.
A diet centered on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is not just good for your overall health. According to Mayo Clinic, a vitamin-rich
diet can help your body heal your ulcer. Major culprits that can make your stomach ulcer worse include:
coffee, including decaf
carbonated beverages
spicy food
high-sugar foods
processed foods
salty red meats
**No Booze, No Milk**
If you’ve ever had a hangover, you know the
effects that alcohol can have on your stomach.
It also contributes to stomach ulcers and can
make existing ones worse.
If a drink or two after work is how you unwind,
you might want to consider a healthy, less
damaging alternative, such as working on next
summer’s beach body.
Milk’s ability to coat the side of a glass may
have you thinking that it also creates a
protective barrier in your stomach. In fact, it
has the opposite effect. Calcium is one mineral
that increases the production of stomach acid,
which can make things worse.
**Healthy Lungs and Body**
Meditation isn’t like “the Force” from “Star
Wars,” so unfortunately, meditating on your stomach ulcer won’t make it disappear. But stress is a major contributing factor to a stomach ulcer, so taking care of your mental health can take the pressure off your ulcer.
Regular exercise can also help combat the effects of stress, as well as keep your body running at top gear to take care of itself. Thirty
minutes a day of sweat-inducing exercise is all it takes.
Of all the reasons to quit smoking, helping your ulcer could be the easiest to stomach! Smoking kicks stomach acid into high gear, which only
exasperates the ulcer and the pain for its sufferer. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of quitting smoking and the best options to get
you started.
Possible complications
Complications of stomach ulcers are
relatively uncommon, but they can be very
serious and potentially life-threatening.
The main complications include:
bleeding at the site of the ulcer
the stomach lining at the site of the ulcer
splitting open – known as perforation
the ulcer blocking the movement of food
through the digestive system – known as
gastric obstruction
Be Vigilant
Stomach ulcers don’t stop at abdominal
pain. If left untreated, they can create a
hole in the stomach, which requires
surgery. On rare occasions, ulcers might
signal larger problems, like cancer.
Hope you have learnt a thing about Ulcer! Wishing you a safe recovery.
Cc: lalasticlala
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