Peptic Ulcer
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 duodenal 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 anemia.
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 septicemia
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
liter 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 hemorrhage in the stomach, a rectal enema
should be administered four times daily with water temperature at 110° to 115°F.
In case of abdominal or stomach pain, hot pack should be placed on the abdomen
with water temperature at 120°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.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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